Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1858-01-15
miscellaneous.
AN ELEPHANT HUNT.

AN ELEPHANT HUNT.
We were on the side of a fine green val
ley, studded here and there with trees and
cut by numerous rivulets. had retired from
the noise TO take an observation among some
rocks laminated grit. when l beheld an ele-
phant and her calf at the end Of the valley,
about two miles distant. The calf was roll
ing in the mud. and the dam was standing fan
ming herself with her great ears. As l look
ed at them through my glass, | saw long
string of my own men appearing on the other
side Of them l then went higher mp the
side of the valley. in order to have distinct
view of their mode of hunting The goodly
beast, totally unconscious of the approach of
an enemy, stood for some time sucking her
young one which seemed about two years
old they then went into pit containing
mud, and smearod themselves all over with it,
the little one frisking about his dam, Tapping
his ears and tossing his trunk incessantly, in
olephantine fashion. She kept Tapping her
ears and wagging her tail. as if in the height
Of her enjoyment. Then began the piping OF
her enemies, which was performed by blowing
into tube or the hauds-fcloso together, as
boys do into key. Both animals expanded
their cars and listened. then left their bath as
the crowd rushed towards them. The little
one ran forward towards the end Of the valley.
but seeing the men there. returned to his
dam She placed herself on the danger side
of her calf and passed her probocis over it
again and again, as IL to assure IL Of safety.
She frequently looked back TO the men, who
kept mp an incessant shouting. singing and
piping then looked at her young one and ran
after il, sometimes sideways, as if her feelings
were divided between anxiety 20 protect her
offspring and desire to revenge the temority
of her prosecutors. The men kept about a
hundred yards in her rear, and that distance
from her TANKS, and continued TINS until she
was obliged to cross rivulet. The time
spent in descending and getting to the oppo-
site bank allowed of their coming up TO the
edge, and discharging their spears at about
twenty Yards distance. After the first dis
charge. she appeared with her sides red with
blood, and beginning 60 ice for her own life.
seemed to think no more of her young.
had previously sent off Sckwcbu with orders
TO spare the calf To won't very fast, but nci-
ther young or old ever enter into glop
their quickest pace is only sharp walk. Be
fore Sckwobu could reach them the calf
sought refuge iu the water and was killed
The pace of the dam gradually became slow
er' one VaIheu Win Hht'e" Oh rage ana
maze IN, d furious chaiSe D'aN among inc men.
lhey 'anishco az rlsnt angles TO her course
OF Sluc"ays' anu as Sne ran straiSht on she
went through the Who'c party out came near
no one except man VINO wore piece OF
cloth on ms shoulders BrgAt clothing Is
always dangerous IN these cases. She charg-
ca three or iour times aud. except IN the iirst
instance never went iaTther than ono hundred
yards. She often stood after she had crossed
a HvuIet' and laced the men, though she re-
eelved fresh spears. 1t was by this process
OF spearlng and loss OF blood that she was
klled ior' at last; making a short charge
sne staggered toupu ana SonN uoWh Uo"o IN II,
a hlc'llns posture. u'u no' see 'no "noic .,
num- na''ns oeen te"Pl'a away oy oo'h