GEAR FOR DRAGGING.                       41

       of the twisted chain will chafe the animal's side and may
       even dig the big hook into its shoulder. The chain
       consists of two traces, one 14 ft. long, and the other
       8 ft. (to take an average measurement), but it is best to
       determine the length of chain most suitable to its build
       after examining the animal at work. At the working
       end of the longer chain is a link sufficiently small to
       pass through the drag-hole of the log and hook on to
       the short trace, which is fitted with a strong stub-hook.
       It not infrequently happens that even the larger-sized
       chains part under a heavy pull, and accidents though
       frequent are not as one might suppose serious. It
       is rarely that any injury beyond an abrasion results
       to the elephant. The driver is provided with a strap
       from the saddle with which to hold on at critical
       moments.

The foregoing is sufficient harness for an ordinary well-trained
elephant, but it is occasion-
ally necessary to supple-
ment the gear with backing
chains and a crupper made
of plaited cane for animals
given to jibbing and other
tricks (see Fig. 6a).

Description. — A—A
ohn-done (saddle), C—C
saddle pad. A belly band
of strong rope or chain (E)
girthed tight. To this
attach the sling B, passing
same tight under the ani-
mal's tail. Through this
weave the sling D (which
may be either of rope or
chain) over the root of
the tail and under the sling
B. Pass the dragging
chains F—F through the
loops of D at G—G, and the
animal cannot then ordina-
rily get out of his harness.
For the sling D a pair of
fetters will often be found long enough. The shorter this sling
the better, especially for a wicked animal.

[NLS note: a graphic appears here - see image of page]

FIG. 6A.—Backing gear.