For the moment I thought it was a herd, but I almost immediately noticed the constrained and unnatural positions in which they were standing.

They were all tied to different trees by the legs, and upon approaching the spot, we found an encampment of Arabs and Moormen who had been noosing elephants for sale.

We at once saw that the country was disturbed, as these people had been employed in catching elephants for some weeks.
After a ride of seven or eight miles along the plain, I discovered a thin blue line of smoke rising from the edge of a distant forest, and shortly after, I could distinguish forms moving on the plain in the same direction.

Cantering towards the spot, we found our coolies and encampment.

The tents were pitched under some noble trees, which effectually excluded every ray of sun.