The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1858-01-29
An Elephant Hunt.

i ''. An Elephant Hunt
The following interesting sketches 81
taken from Dr. bivingston's new work
just published: ~ 'T''i ,'l -'
We were on the side Of 6ne gree
valley, studded here snd there with tree
and cut by numerous rivulst. | had n
tired from the noiic, TO take an obserr'
ton among some rocks Of laminated gri,
when I bebsld an elephant and her ca
at the end Of the valley, about two miles
distant. Tho calf was rolling inths mud
and the dam was standing tanning herssl
with her great carr. AsIlookedss At then
through my glasG Isaw sIong string o
my own men appearing on the other sid'
Of them. Ithen went higher up the sid'
ofthe valley, in order to have . distinc'
view Of their mode Of hunting. TIT
goodly beast totally unconscious Of the
approach Of an enemy, stood for some
time sucklipgher young one, which seem
cd about two yesrs old they then went
into pit containing mud, and smeared
themselves all over with Il, the little one
frisking about mis- dam, tapping his can
and tossing his trunk incessantly, in Gle.
phantine fashion. She kept tapping her
ears and wagging her tail, as II in the
height Of enjoyment. Then began the
piping Of her enemies which was per.
formed by blowing into tube, or the
hands closed together, as boys do into a
key. Both animals expanded their earn
and listened, then lct their bath as the
crowd rushed toward them. The little
one ran forward toward the end Of the
valley, but, seeing the men there return.
ed to his dam. She placed herself on the
danger side Of her calf and passed her
proboscis over It again and again, as II to
assure 1t of safety. She frequently look.
cd back to the men, who kept up an in
cessant shouting, singing, and piping;-
then looked al her young one and ran
after il, sometimes sideways, as II her feel.
ings were divided between anxiety to pro.
tcct her offspring, and desire to revenge
the temerity Of her prosecutors. The
men kept about hundred yards in her
rear, and that distance from her fanks,
and continued thus until she was obliged
to cross a rivulet. The time spent in de-
sccnding and getting to the opposite bank
allowed of their coming up to the edge,
and discharged their spears at about twen-
ty yards distance. Aiter tho first dis.
charge she appeared with her sides red
with blood, and beginning to fec for her
own life, seemed TO think no moro Of her
young. had previously sent of Sekwe-
bu with orders to spare the calf It went
very fast, but neither young or old ever
enter into q gallop; their quickest pace
is only sharp walk. Before Sekwebu
could reach them, the calf sought refuge
in the water, and was killed. The pace
of the dam gradually became slower
She turned with shrek Of rage, and
made furious charge back among the
men. They vanished ut right angles to
her course, or sideways and, as she ran
straight on, went through the whole par.
ty, but came near no one except q man
who wore apiece Of cloth on his should.
ers. Bright clothing is always dangerous
in these cases. She charged three or
four times, and, except in the first in.
stance, never went farther than one hun
dred yards. She often stood after she
had crossed rivulet aud faced the men,
although she received fresh spears. 1t
was by this process Of spcaring andloss Of
blood thatshc was killed; for at last, max
ing short charge, she staggered round
and sank down dead in knccling pos
ture. Ibid not see the whole hunt hav-
ing been tempted away by both sun and
moon appearing unclouded. i turned
from the spectacle Of tho destruction Of
noble animals which might be made SO
useful in Africa, with a feeling Of sickness
ond it was not relieved by tho rocollec-
tion that the ivory was mino though that
was the case. The elephants Of this ro-
gion were smaller than those in more
southern latitude. The ono first killed
on this occasion was . male not full
grown, measuring eight feet at tho with.
en. The other was full grown female,
eight feet eight inches in height which
was about one foot lcss than the average.
They arc dainty feeders, and have sgreat
relish for certain sweet.tsstcd trees and
fruits. They choose the mohouo' the
miniosa, and other trees which contain
much saehsrine matter, mucilage and
gum. An experienced elephant may Be
seen putting his head TO : lofty palmyra
and swsying il TO and fro 10 shake Of the
seeds; he then pichthsm up one BY ouc
and eats them. Or hs plants himself IN
der the masuna and other fruit trees, and
picls of the sweetftuit ill his appetite Il
cloyed. he also digs up bulbs and tn.