Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1859-08-16
MISCELL A N Y .
Elephant hunting in Africa.

Two letters have been received from Mr.
Charles John Anderson, the African traveller
In the first which is dated August 80, 1865"
lie says: --.
"About two months ago wrote you from the
banks of the 0maruru river, acquainting you
with the unfortunate termination of my late
Journey, my future plans, &c. You will also re-
member that my wagon was to proceed to Ut.
iimbinque (RichterfeldD to be- repaired, while
myself slowly wended my way to the river (or
rather watershed), from which | now address
you, with the view of seeing some unexpored
country, and for the purpose ofhuntng elephants,
and have to some extent accomplished both
these objects.
81 encountered very considerable number
of elephants, but unfortunately chiefly COWS
with their young, which are both dangerous and
Improbable. / have had some perilous adven-
lures with these animals, and have been taught
some severe lessons, which | am not likely to
forget, and, if have not got great deal OF l.
worry, have gaineda great deal of experience
and some interesting insight into the natural
history of the African elephant. However, be-
sides some female elephants, have killed sew
eral truly noble bulls.
"The more see of these stupendous animals
the more am surprised. | should very much
like to know the real strength Of a full grown
male it must be something almostincredible.-
Nothing gives person better idea OF their
stupendous powers than days walk through
one of their favorite haunts. There may be
seen whole tracts of forest laid PROSTATE, and
such trees sometimesl The trees, which are tor
the most part of a brittle nature, are Usually
broken short off by the beasts; but when they
meet with tree that seems to them too tough
to snap at once, upit goes, root and all. Ii they
can do this in mere play, or tor the sake OF 1eed-
ing on the branches, &C., of the prostrate trees,
what will they not effect in paroxysm OF rage
''The other day, after very many hours, Ia
tiguiDg tracking was closing with very
large troop OF elephants, consisting cnieny Oh
females, when to my left | suddenly spied an
other troop of what took to be males. at
once left the first troop and proceeded to attack
the second 'stalked' unperceived to within
twenty five PAGES of the herd, when to my an
noyance found that they also were mostly COWS
and calves. There were, however, couple OF
fine bulls among them, one evidently acting tDe
part of pater falnias to the herd; this beast 8
position was unfavorable, and was waiting Tor
him to present better mark, when suddenly
they all made off. AS they were disappearing
in the brushwood, / fired at one of the hinder
LQOSC-d Iudlc, dS lLudSluSu. IL "o AASsN- -
herd wheeled about, and with terrific rush
came crashing through the bushes nearly IN
direct line towards me; but after running for a
bout sixty or seventy PAGES they stopped short
evidently disappointed at not finding the enemy.
felt very much inclined to take to my heels,
but moments reflection convinced me that
safety lay only in keeping close and it was well
did so, for in few moments the pater famillas
made an oblique rush through the jungle win
such force as actually to send whole tree that
be had uprooted in his headlong course spin,
ming in the air. A huge branch remained liked
to one of his tusks. His head he carried aloft,
his huge ears were spread to the full, while with
his trunk he shifted the air impatlently. 10 TINS
position, and when within less than dozen
PAGES OF Inc, he remained | should say about
half minute. 1 think it was the most thrilling
and striking sporting scene that ever saw
My assailant looked the very picture OF grandeur
and rage.
81 have had several other interesting en-
counters with elephants, but have no time Tor
particulars. At present these animals have all
left my neighborhood, but hope to find them
again ahead of me, and to do some execution a.
mong them.
II use heavy rifle, carrying conical steel
pointed bullet 0hree to the pouDO and 10 to IL
drachms of the best English rifle powder. With
this charge | sometimes send the ball clean
through an elephant. OnceI fred at a huge
COW, the bullet entered her hind quarters, and
obliquely traversing the entire length OF her
body passed out at the shoulderl The only