Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-05-10
The Pleasures ofEIephant Hunting.

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In the newly, published London work,
entitled the "Rifle and Hound in Ceylon,"
we find exciting and interesting descriptions
of elephant hunting, derived from the per-
sonal experience of the author, Mr.. 5, W..
Baker. At one time, as Mr.. Baker was
wandering with his brother among the Nigh
ty ruins OF by-gone palaces which are strewn
over the island of Ceylon, he found him
self in the immediate vicinity of two ele-
phants, upon whose destruction he unhesi-
tatingly determined. The elephants retreat
ed to, Jungle, and while he was dellbera-
ting upon proper mode of procedure be
suddenly heard deep cultural sound IL the
thick rattan, and the same instant the whole
tangled mass burst asunder within four ieet
of the spot where he was standing, and ne
saw the furious head of an elephant in full
charge upon him. 'af'l &
81 had barely time to cock my rifle, and
the barrel almost touched him as fred
j knew it was in vain, as his trunk was
raised. b. fred bis. right hand barrel at
the same moment without effect, from the
same cause. jumped on one side. and at
tempted to spring through The deep mud !;
it was of no use; the long grass entangled
my feet and in another instant lay sprawl
ing in the enraged elephants path within
foot of him. In that moment OF suspense
[ expected to hear the crack of my own
bones, as his massive foot would be upon
me. 1t was an atom of time. heard the
cracl, Of GUN it was BIS last barrel.
felt a spongy weight strike my heel, and
turning quickly heels over head, rolled a
few PAGES and regained my feet. That last
shot had Aoored him just as he was upon
me the end Of his trunk had fallen upon
nv heel. Still he was not dead, but he
struck at me with his trunk as passed
round his head TO give him finlsher with
the four-ounce rifle which had snatched
from our solitary gunbearer."
But of all the adventures related by Mr'
Baker, the following Is of the most thrilling
interest He had discovered in large
plain. which was covered with huge lemon
grass 10 a height of ten or twelve feet, a
herd of ten elephants, and in company with
his brother had shot five Of them. we
give the story in his own language:
"I had one barrel still loaded, and / was
pushing my way through the tangled grass
towards the spot where the five elephants
Law together, when suddenly heard Wal
lace shrek out, Look out sir Look out
an elephants comingP
81 turned round in moment; and close
past Wallace. from the very spot where the
last dead elephant lay, came the very es-
sence and incarnation Of rogue elephant
in full charge. His trunk was thrown high
in the air, his ears were cooked, his tail
stood high above his back as stiff as Po-
ker, and, screaming exactly like the whis-
lie of a railway engine, he rushed upon me
through the high grass with velocity that
was perfectly wonderful. His eyes flashed
as he came on, and he had singled me out
as his victim.
II have often been IN dangerous positions,
| but never felt so totally devoid OF hope as
I did in this instance. The tangled grass
rendered retreat impossible. had only
one barrel loaded and that was useless, as
the appraised trunk protected his forehead.
| | felt myself doomed; the few thoughts that
rush through mems minds in such hopeless
positions flew through mine, and resolved
to wait for bun till he was close upon me
before fired, hoping that he might lower
his trunk and expose his forehead.
"He rushed along at the pace OF horse
IN full speed in few moments, as the
grass flew to the right and left before him.
he was close upon ne, but still his trunk
was raised and would not fire. One Sec
ond more, and at this hea1ong pace he was
within three feet of me; down slashed his
trunk with the rapidly of whip-thong,
and with a shrill scream of fury he was up
on me. ..-. -
~ fired at that instant, but in the twink
ling of an eye | was flying through the alr
like ball fIom bat. At the moment OF
firing, had jumped to the left, but he struck
me with his tusk, in full charge upon my
right thigh, and hurled me eight or ten pa
ces from him. That very moment he stop
ped and turning round, he beat the grass
abort with his trunk, and commenced a
strict search for me. | heard him m>udvanc-
ING close to the spot where | lay as still as
death, knowing that my last chance lay IN
concealment. heard the grass rustling
close to the spot where | lay closer and
closer he approached and he at length beat
the grass with Ills trunk several times ex-
actly above me. held my breath, mo-
mentarily expecting to feel his ponderous
foot upon me. Although had not felt the
sensation of fear while | had stood opposed
to him, fell like what | never wshto fee
again while he was deliberately hunting me
up. Fortunately had reserved my FIRE
unh the rifle had almost touched him.. fol
the powder and smoke had nearly blinded
him, and had spoiled his acute power OF
scent. To my JOY | heard the lusting ol
the grass grow fainter; again I heard 1t al
still greater distance; at length it wa:
gone"
PlrIABLE CAsE.-Clarissa lin hemen'
dous hurry. .)-Oh, Lizzy, dear, can't stop