Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1856-11-14

cessful hunting. I resolved. there be.
ing good moonlight. to try what
might be done with elephants by
night. shooting at the fountains. and
determined to make Carey, one oI
my servants. shoot with me. he using
the big rife Of six to tho pound. and
I my single.bsrrelled. two-grooved.
Of eight to the pound. a
On reaching fountain. which 10
called BY the natives" Paapsa, found
the numerous foot paths leading to Il,
covered. as had anticipated. with
fresh spoor Of the elephant and rhi-
noceros. then proceeded 10 study
the best spot on which 10 make our
shooting hole for the night. II would
be impossible 10 prevent some Of the
game from getting our wind, for the
foot-paths led 10 II from every side.
The prevailing wind was from the
east, so pitched upon the south west
corner Of the fountain. The water
was not more than twenty yards long
aud ten yards broad. The west side
bounded by tufuous rock, which rose
abruptly from the water about Eve
feet high. The top OF this rock was
level with the surrounding valley. and
here all the elephants drank, % Il
suspicious Of treading on the muddy
margin on the other three aides Of the
fountain. | made our shooting box
within sir or eight yards Of the water.
constructing Il In circular form Of
bushes packed together 80 as to form
hedge about three feet high. On
the top Of the hedge ! placed very
heavy dead old branches Of trees. so
as TO form clear rest for our rifles
these clean old branches were all
lashed firmly together with strips OF
thorn bark. All being cumplsted. I
took our steeds to shady tree. about
quarter Of q mile to leeward Of the
fountain. where we formed kraal
and took off the saddles. The day
was particularly adapted to bring
game to the water, the sun being ex.
tremely powerful. and hot, dry wind
prevailing all the afternoon. -,'i
-Four old bull elephants drew near
from the south. They were coming
right on for the spot where we lay,
and they seemed very likely to walk
over the top Of us. We therefore
placed our two big rifles 10 position,
and awaited their toward movement
with intense interest. On they came,
with slow and stately step. until With
in twenty yards Of us. when the lead
ing elephant took IL into his head to
pass to leeward. We let him 20 on
until he got our wind he was then
within ten yards Of the muzzIes OF
our hsavy-mettled rifles; on winding
us. he tossed his trunk aloft. and we
instantly fred together. | e,ught
him somewhere about the heart, and
my big six pound rife burst in Carey's
hand, very nearly killing US both
The elephant. on being fred At,
wheeled about and retreated to the
forest at top-spesd. l now directed
"Stickinthemud" to make use of his
single-barrelIed twelve to the pound,
in the event Of more elephants com
ing up. and thanking my stars that
the old Dutch rife had not sent us
both TO the land Of the dead, I sat
down and watched the dark masses Of
trees that cut the sky on every side.
in the hope Of seeing a mass as high
and wide come towering forward into
the open space that surrounded the
fountain.
We had not proceeded far from the
white rock when We entered forest
frequentsd by elephants, and we very
soon came upon fresh spoor Of a
troop Of about ten fine bulls. The
sporting was conducted very properly
the old chief taking the greatest care
Of the wind. keeping his followers far
back, and maintaining silence. and
extending picquets in advance, and to
the right and left, and ordering them
10 ascend to the SUBMITS Of the tsllest
trees to obtain correct view Of the
surrounding forest. Presently the
mighty game was detected. Old Sc.
wartlsnd was led along eide Of me.
and my dogs were all in the couples.
eight in number. | quickly mounted,
and riding slowly forwnrd. obtained a
blink Of one Of the elephants. ]
called to the natives 10 slip the dogs,
and then dashed forward for selec.
ton. ! chose the last, and gave him
a shot he passed me. and then ri.
ding hard under his stern. l yelled
like . demon to clear him from hi'
comrades. and to bring the dogs 10 my
assistance. The dogs onme, rs ex'
pected. 10 my elephant, and shot
him from the saddle In business-likt
style, loading and firing with great RI
pidity; he took from fifteen 10 twenty
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