Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1886-09-02


progress, and ;thenpur journey became
somewhat dangerous from meeting
rowing bands of nomads who wished us
to pay tribute for the privilege of pass
ing. Sometimes a few trinkets would
satisfy them, and if that failed few
drops of gin, which they prize more
than all money. After weeks of con-
slant travelling and encountering all
kinds of difficulties we discovered ele-
phant tracks. 1t raised a commotion
among the guides and the native car
riers in the van. They wanted to see
an elephant killed. l hoped that the
elephants would keep out of sight, as
did not wish to shoot and perhaps only
wound one. At the close of a long
days journey the guides in front set up
cry and came running back. heard
a heavy cracking as if some ponderous
animal was rushing through the forest
breaking the bushes and twigs. They
shouted 'elephantp My idea was that
the elephant was trying to escape, and !
concluded not to interfere. The trail
suddenly turned and coming down upon
us was huge male elephant. The
animal was trying to get away, but had
got mixed up as to the proper direction
to take. His speed was 80 great l
knew that he could scarcely turn before
he reached us. The natives yelled and
fled. The Baltimore negro threw down
his rifle, but when he saw me bringing
my gun into position he came back. /
fired quickly and the elephant roared
with pain and turned I took deliber-
ate aim then and sent a ball into his
side. This must have penetrated
vital part, for the animal came near
falling. -Four more shots in rapid sue
cession were fatal in their result. The
elephant ran q hundred yards and fell
upon knoll, where he soon died. The
natives in the caravan came up and
danced around the fallen king of the
forest in great joy. A village not far
of heard that an elephant had been
slain, and turned out to eat him up.
They looked like vultures descending
upon carcass. The sight was revolt
ing. The women had ravenous ap-
petites as well as the men, and gorged
to their hearts content This was evi.
IDENTITY stray elephant, for they are
not numerous on the western slope of
equatorial Africa.
The chief of the village, Sin recogni-
ton Of my services in filing the stom-
achs ofhisl people and in Consideration
of a bottle Of gin, treated me royalty.
He invited me to his palace and ex-
tended his rude hospitalities. He ad-
mired my rifle and especially my empty
cartridge-shells. l gave him the shells,
but not the rifle. Heyacated his palace,
hut some ten feet square, three feet
high at the sides and nine feet high in
the centre, from ground to ridge-pole,
for me to sleep in. 1t was built of
reeds and grass tightly woven and tied
to a frame work. The rafters were
bamboo sticks. The door was four
feet square and consisted of q heavy
grass mat, woven to a bamboo frame
and made to glide either to the right or
left. Goat skins were spread upon a
raised bamboo frame, which served as
a a'bed. / retired very much fatigued,
butmy restwas broken in an hour, so
| had to getout and sleep on the ground
with the caravan. The chiefs palace
was reeking with vermin, and I could
not stand 1t. How he managed to re-
main all night would be a mystery if
he were not to the manner born. His
twenty-five black wives looked healthy
and free from Mysteries. They wore
heavy brass bands around their wrists
and ankles and brass rings through
their noses. A brass foundry might
thrive in that section. The chief the
next morning accepted gratefully a
half-dOzen more cartridge shells and a
small measure of strong gin. He never
alked me how l rested in his palace.
After weeks of travel we got back
to the coast. / took a south-bound
steamer. The parting between the
Baltimore negro and myself was
comical, but not affectionate. He had
been faithful guide and / rewarded
him. He came on board the steamer
to bid me farewell. / gave him pea
jacket, pair Of trousers and a very
long cigar. He put on the jacket,
rolled the trousers up and held them
under his arm, lit his cigar and walked
down the gang plank apparently su-
premely happy" - so
| EN .l-I
Unlucky May Marriages.
The prejudice against May marriages
| = l. L. a.. n A.