The Dickinson press., 1890-03-29

left with the wagons. was on horse
back and 80 was my driver, good rider
and skillful shot for Kafir, but In
daba-zimbi and the others walked. From
dawn till midday we followed the trail
of the herd, which was as plain as
high road. Then we off saddled to let
the horses rest and feed, and about
o'clock started on again. Another hour
or so passed, and still there was no sign
of elephants. Evidently the herd had
travelled fast and far, and I began to
think that we should have to give it up,
when suddenly caught sight of
brown mass moving through the thorn
trees on the side of o slope about quar-
ter of q mile away. My heart seemed
to jump into my mouth. Where is the
hunter who has not felt like this at the
sight of his first elephant? l called a
halt, and then, the wind being right, we
set to work to stalk the bull.
Very quietly rode down the hithe1
side of the slope till we came to the bot
tom, which was densely covered with
bush. Here saw the elephants had
been feeding, for broken branches and
upturned sSlay all about. Ibid not
.ake much notice, however, for all my
thoughts were fixed upon the bull was
stalking, when suddenly my horse made
violent start that nearly threw me
from the saddle, and there came
mighty rush and upheaval of something
in front Of me. looked: there was the
hinder part Of second bull elephant not
four yards off. could just catch sight
of its outstrctched ears projecting on
either side. l had disturbed it sleeping,
and it was running away. Obviously the
best thing to do would have been to let
1t run, but l was young in those days and
foolish, and in the excitement of the mo-
ment l lifted my "roer' or elephant gun
and fired at the great brute over my
horses head. The recoil of the heavy
gun nearly knocked me off the horse.
recovered myself, however, and as
did SO. saw the bull lurch forward, for
the impact of three ounce bullet in the
TANKS will quicken the movements even
of an elephant. By this time I had real
lied the folly of the shot, and devoutly
hoped that the bull would take no fur
ther notice of it. But he had different
view of the matter. Pulling himself up
in series of plunges, he spun around
and came for me with outstretched ears
and uplifted trunk, screaming terribly.
was quite defenseless, for my gun was
empty, and my first thought was Of es-
cape. dug my heels into the sides of
my horse, but he would not move an
inch. The poor animal was paralyzed
with terror, and he simply stood still, his
forelegs outstretched, and quivering all
over like leaf.
On rushed the elephant, awful to see;
made one more vain effort to stir the
horse. Now the trunk of the great bull
swung aloft above my head. A thought
flashed through my brain. Quick as
light I rolled from the saddle By the
side of the horse lay fallen tree, as
thick through as q mans body. The
tree was lifted little off the ground by
the broken boughs which took its weight,
and with single movement, so active is
one in such necessities, flung myself
beneath it. AS did so, heard the trunk
of the elephant descend with q mighty
thud on the back of my poor horse, and
the next instant was almost in dark
ness, for the horse, whose back was
broken, fell over across the tree under
which I lay ensconced. But he did not
stop there long. In ten seconds more the
bull had got his trunk round my dead
nags neck, and, with q mighty effort,
hurled him clear of the tree. Iwriggled
backwards as far US could towards the
roots of the tree, for knew what he was
after.
Presently saw the red tip of the bulls
trunk stretching itself towards me. If
he could manage to hook it round any
part of me was lost But in the posi-
ton occupied, that was just what he
could not do, although he knelt down to
facilitate his operations. On came the
swapping tip like great open-mouthed
snake; it closed upon my hat, which
vanished. Again it was thrust down,
and a scream of rage was beloved
through 1t within four inches of my
head. Now it seemed to elongate itself.
Oh, heavens! now it had me by the
hair, which, luckily for myself, was not
very long. Then it was my turn to
scream, for next instant half square
inch of hair was dragged from my scalp
by the roots. was being plucked alive,
as have seen cruel Kafir kitchen boys
pluck fowl. The elephant, however,
disappointed with the moderate results,
changed his tactics. He wound his
trunk round the fallen tree and lifted it.
1t stirred, but fortunately the broken
branches imbedded in the spongy soil,
and some roots, which still held, pre-
vented it from being turned over,
though lie lifted it 80 much that, had it
occurred to him, he could now have
easily fished me out with his trunk.
Again he hoisted with all his mighty
strength, and I saw that the trec was
coming, and roared aloud for help. Some
shots were fired close by in answer, but
if they hit the bull, their only effect was
to stir his energies to more active life. In
another few seconds my shelter would
be torn away, and should be done for.
A cold perspiration burst over me as !
realized that was lost. Then of sud-
den remembered that had pistol in
my belt, which often used for dispatch
ing wounded game. It was loaded and
capped. By this time the tree was lifted
SO much that could easily get my hand
down to my middle and draw the pistol
from its case. drew and cooked it.
See the tree was coming, and there, with
in three feet of my head, was the great
brown trunk Of the elephant. Iplaced
the muzzle of the pistol within an inch
of it and fred. The result was instanta-
neous. Down sunk the tree again, Civ
ing one of my legs a considerable
squeeze, and the next instant heard
crashing sound. The elephant had
bolted.
By this time, what between fright and
struggling, / was pretty well done. I
cannot remember how got from under
the fallen tree, or indeed anything, until
I found nycelf sitting on fbe Ground