Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1854-05-12
The Pleasures of Elephant Hunting.

The Pleasures of Elephant Hunting
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 personal experience of the author, Mr. S.
w. Baker. At one time Mr. Baker was wandering
with his brother among the mighty ruins of by-gone
palaces which strewn the island of Ceylon
he found himself in the immediate vicinity OF two
elephants upon whose destruction he unhesltatingy
determined. The elephants retreated to jungle,
and while he was celebrating upon proper mode of
procedure, he suddenly heard deep gutteral sound
in the thick rattan, and the same instant the whole
tangled mass burst asunder within four feet of the
spot where he was standing and he saw the furious
head OF an elephant in full charge upon him.
Il had barely time 10 cock my rifle, and the barrel
almost touched him as fired. knew it was in vain,
rs his trunk raised B. fired his right hand bar
rel at the moment without effect, from the
cause. jumped OH side, and attempted to spring
through the deep mud; it was of no use; the long
grass entangled my feet and in another instant lay
sprawling 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 crack of gun; it was BIS last barrel |
felt spongy weight strike my heel, and turning
quickly heels over head, rolled few PAGES and re-
gained my feet. That last shot had foored him just
as he was upon me; the end of his trunk had fallen
upon my heel Still he was not dead but he struck
at me with his trunk as passed round his head to
give him fnisher with the four-ounc rifle which
had snatched from our solitary gun-bearer"
But fall 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 to height of ten twelve feet,
herd of ten elephants, and in company with his
brother had shot five of them. We give the story in
his own language:
II had one barrel still loaded, and was pushing
my way through the tangled grass towards the spot
where the five elephants lay together when sud-
denly heard Wallace shrek out, Look out, sir! Look
out!-an elephants coming"
81 turned round in moment and close past Wal
lace from the very spot where the last dead elephant
lay came the very essence and incarnation of rogue
elephant in full charge His trunk was thrown high
in the air. his cooked, his tail stood high
above his back as stiff poker and, screaming
exactly like the whistle of railway engine, he
rushed upon me through the high grass with velo-
city that was perfectly wonderful. His eyes flashed
as he came on, and he had singled me out as his
victim
have often been in dangerous positions but never
telt so totally devoid ofhope as did in this instance
The tangled grass rendered retreat impossible. | had
only one barrel loaded, and that useless, as the
upraised trunk protected his forehead felt myself
doomed the few thoughts that rush through mems
min Is in such hopeless positions flew through mine,
and resolved to wait for him ill he 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 lew moments as the grass flew to the right and
left before him, he close upon me, but still his
trunk was raised and would not fire. One second
more, and at his headlong pace he was within three
feet of me; down sashed his trunk with the rapidity
of whip-throng, and with shrill of fury
he was upon me.
fired at that instant, but in the twinklng of an
eye was flying through the air like "a ball from
bat. AT the moment of firing, had jumped to the
left, but he struck with his tusk in full charge
upon my right thigh, and hurled me eight or ten
PAGES from him That very moment he stopped and
turning round, he beat the grass about with his trunk,
and commenced strict search for me. | heard him
advancing close to the spot where lay as still as
death, knowing that my last chance lay in conceal
ment | heard the grass rustling close to the spot
where lay closer and closer he approached, and he
at length beat the grass with his trunk several times
exactly above me. ! held by breath, momentariIy
expecting to feel his ponderous foot upon AL
though had not felt the sensation of fear while !
had stood opposed to him, | felt like what | never
wish to feel again while he was deliberately hunting
me up Fortunately had reserved my fire until the
rifle had almost touched him. for the powder and
smoke had nearly blinded him, and had spoiled his
acute power of scent. To my JOY heard the rust
ling of the grass grow fainter; again heard it at a
still greater distance; at length ii was gone.