The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1856-07-24
Night sporting Ia Africa.

tanned in the recently published work of An
dersoD, the Swedish Traveller. entitled "Foui
years Wanderings in the Wilds Of South Wes
tern Africa. His battles ARE not always with
hons, tigers, &e., but frequently with ponder
Gus elephants and rhinoceroses--as witness the
following
From the constant persecution to which the
larger game had Of late been subjected at X o
his, IT had become not only scarce. but wary
and bearing that elephants and rhinocerosee
still continued TO resort to Aberghan, | forth
with proceeded there on the night in question
Somewhat incautiously took up my position
alone. as usual--on narrow neck oi land d.
viding two small pools: the space on either
side OF my 'skarm" being only sufficient for Il
large animal 10 stand between me and the
water. was provided with blanket and two
or three spare guns.
II was one OF those magnificent ,ropcal
moonlight nights when an indescribably soft
and enchanting light Is shed over the siumher.
ing landscape. The moon was So bright and
clear that | could discern even small animal
at a considerable distance
had just completed my arrangements. when
noise that can likcn only 10 tina, of train
oi artillery, broke the stiffness oi tie air. 1t
evidently came ftJii tic direction 81 one Of the
numerous stony paths, or rather tracks, lead
ing to tho water. and Imagined it was caused
by some wagons that might have crossed the
kalaharl. Raising myself partially from my
recumbent posture. | fixed my ewes steadily on
the part OF the bush whence the strange sounds
proceeded, but for some time was unable 10
make out the cause. All "a, once, however. the
mystery was explained by the appearace OF az
t.la MT fall IL
ers, amounting TO eighteen Their towering
forms told me at glance that they were all
males. II was IA speadld sight To behold so
many huge creatures approaching with IA free.
swecpiny, unsuspcctlng, stately step The
somewhat elevated ground whence they emer
Sed. and which gradually slopcd towards the
water, together with the misty night air gave
an increased appearance Of bulk and might.
ness TO their naturally giant structures
Crouchlng down as low IA possible IN the
skarm. waited with beating heart and rea
dYrile the approach Of the leading male, Who
unconscious OF peril. was making straight for
my hiding-pacc. The position Of his body
however, was unlayorable for shot and
knowing from experience that | had little
chance of obtaining more than single good
one, ! waited Tor an opportunity to fire at his
shoulder. which. "a heiore said. is preferable
to any other part when shooting at night,
but this chance, unfortunately. was not afford
ri till his enormous bulk lowered above INV
head. The consequence was. that, while in the
act OF raising the muzzle OF my rife over the
"skarm, my body caught his eye. and before
! could place the piece to my shoulder he swang
himself round, and, with trunk elevated and
ears sprad, desperately charged me II was
now too late to think Of fight, much lcsss of
Staying the savage beast Ny own lihn was in
immediate jeopardy; and seeing this, if re-
mained partially erect, he would inevitably
seize me with his probosris | threw myself on
my back with some violence in which position.
and without sbouldering my rifle, fired up
wards, at random towards his chest, ut,ering.
at the same time, the most piercing shout and
cries. The change in position in all human
probability saved my life for, at the same in.
stant the trunk Of the cnraged animal descend.
cd precisely on the spot where had been pre-.
vlously coucbed, sweeping away the stones
many OF large sizc) that formed the forcpari
Of my "skarm." like 50 many pebbles Ia an
other instant his broad iore-feei pressed lightly
over riy face.
! now expected nothing short of being crush
ed TO death. Bat imagine my relief when. 10.
stead OF renewing the charge, be swcrved to the
left, and moved OF with considerable rapidity go
most happily without my having received other
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