Page:Ancient India as described by Megasthenês and Arrian.djvu/109

 90 horses. The greatest proficients test their skill hj driving a chariot roand and round in a ring; and in trath it would be no trifling feat to control with ease a team of fonr high- mettled steeds when whirling round in a circle. The chariot carries two men who sit beside the charioteer. The war-elephant, either in what is called the tower, or on his bare back in sooth, carries three fighting men, of whom two shoot from the side, while one shoots from behind. There is also a fourth man, who carries in his hand the goad wherewith he guides the animal, much in the same way as the pilot and captain of a ship direct its course with the helm. Pragm. XXXVI. Strab. XV. 1. 41-43,— pp. 704-705. Of Elephants. Conf. Epit. 54-56. (Fragm. XXXIII. 6 has preceded ibis.) A private person is not allowed to keep either a horse or an elephant. These animals are held to be the special property of the king, and persons are appointed to take care of them. Bound a bare patch of ground is dug a deep trench about five or six stadia in extent, and over this is thrown a very narrow bridge which gives access to the enclosure. ' Into this en- closure are introduced three or four of the best- trained female elephants. The men themselves lie in ambush in concealed huts. ^ The wild Digitized by Google
 * The manner of hunting the elephant is this.