The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1893-12-13

IN UGANDA.
Elephant-Hunting In the Region Of the
Upper Nile.


Elephant-Hunting in the Region Of the
Upper Nile.
1 have lately returned from a short
trip into the back part of the province
of Chagwe, which was undertaken with
view to examine that portion of the
country, as well as to have a little
change and exercise, combined with
some notwithstanding. Instead OF
proceeding to tthe Nile direct by the
main road, 1 struck off in more
northerly direction. The first three
marches were very trying, as the whole
country was densely overgrown with
heavy grass, varied by occasional
swamps and patches of forest. On my
fourth march l entered region which
bore striking resemblance to the up
per parts Of Mau and Kikuyu. 1t pre-
scented charming appearance OF
forest and grass-clad hills slop-
ing away to the north and
terminating in low-lying tract
of country in the direction of Tn
yoro. The entire region was very
sparsely populated, and many Of the
inhabitants seemed as though they had
never set eyes on a European before.
From my camp, which was pitched on
the crest of hill, J obtained a charm
ing view of the Nile some two miles
distant, which at this spot flows be-
tween high, forest-clad banks.
The elephants We're all round this
place in great mum bers, and were being
..lncn1u hnnfaH NV hn No pda b1
had been sent out for the purpose BY
the king and some of the other leading
chiefs. These men, armed for the most
part with long muZzle-loading mus
ket, hunt together in small parties of
from eight to ten in number, their
method being to get as close to the
elephant as possible and at a given
signal to fire volley into one of its
legs. II the attack is successful the
leg is broken and the animal in
stantly disa bled, when they finish
it off at leisure. More frequently
the unfortunate beast escapes with a
number of terribly lacerated wounds,
caused by the iron bolts of from an inch
to an inch and half in length which
to leaden bullets. In this case the
wounded beast retires to the densest
and most impenetra BILE jungles, where.
if not tracked and killed. he undergoes
the most protracted sufferings. 1t is
one of the most cruel and barbarous
methods OF hunting conceiva BILE. Those
who are not armed with guns attack
fna nla,,h II will a short heavy
from tree overhanging one of the reg
ular elephant tracks through the for
est. As the unsuspecting animal passes
beneath they drive the spear down with
terrific force. aiming at either the nape
of the neck or the spine. If the spear
is well delivered, the animal drops in
stantly, but should the hunter mss the
vital spot, the beast rushes away with
the heavy spear in his body. The
weighty shaft acts as lever upon the
keen edged head, in addition to the
blows which it receives from the vari-
Gus obstruction through which it forces
its passage. In this way most fright
fnl wound is produced, which causes
the elephant to sink eventually from
the loss of blood.
/ found that the herds, which num-
bered from twenty to one hundred and
upwards. were chiefly cows, the bulls
being very few in number, and usually
found roaming about either singly or
in twos and threes. Taking them all
round l should say that the elephants
exhibited very poor show of ivory.
beasts among them, there were very few
which | considered as legitimate game
fer the hunter. This, however. is not
recognized in any way by the Waganda,
who slaughter old and young indis-
triminately. Had | gone to work on
this principle l would have bagged
many more than did. AS it was con-
tented myself with nine. but had the
satisfaction of knowing that, with the
exception of one. which | had to shoe:
N self-defensc, they were all picked
inimals. The wet season. which has
now set in, made it terribly heavy work
forcing ones way through the heavy
grass and swamp. day after day. in the
ncessant rain, and found that | had
experienced quite enough of it after
I've or six days. On one occasion l was
taught in a terrific hailstorm. accom-
panied by the most appalling thunder
ind lightning Some of my men were
rery severely bruised by the hailstones,
md all were nearly dead from the cold
The few people living in the vicinity
IF nv camp were very civil and friend
" disposed. so that. on the whole, the
rip was in every way an enjoyable one.
For the benefit of those of your readers
Who may be interested in such matters,
, would mention that the rifles which |
used on this occasion We're double
iight-bore, firing eleven drains of pow
her and a hardened spherical bullet.
ave hundred degree express, and that
al my elephants were killed by the
head shot. either in the oritice of the
Ear or in line between the eve and
Ihe ear.-London Times.
Began Work Mt Once.
Fond Mother-And so my little angel
ioined the Little Defenders TODAY. and
will always be kind TO dumb animals?
Little Angel-Yes'm. Comm home
| met a man VIII a bag of kittens at he