St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1895-01-11
SrIrrtrn &tnrn.
HUNTING A ROGUE ELEPHANT.
The Beast had Terriorized an Entire
Community

amusement and information, was
met by a deputation of natives from
small village, who asked his pro
lection from an elephant that had
taken up it's residence near their
town. Not only had the great
animal again and again destroyed
their crops, but it had killed several
men. Altogether, the elephant was
the terror of the large and formerly
prosperous community.
The hunter assured the natives
that he would try to destroy their
enemy, and he at once made his pre-
parations.
The stranger was an experienced
elephant-hunter. having followed the
great beasts wherever found, in Atri-
ca, Ceylon, and India. He knew at
once that this troublesome fellow
was what is known as rogue, "a
term given to elephants that are vi
cious, not simply roguish-brutes
that try to destroy everything, espe-
cially the property and lives OF men.
First he must learn, il possible, the
ways and habits of this especial
rogue, and, with that object in view,
he consulted the head men and hun
tiers OF several villages. One man
stated that the rogue was possessed
OF an evil spirit; that on one day it
would visit one locality, and on the
next day be heard OF many miles
away. AS to its actions, the man
said, it suddenly came from a dense
Jungle near his native town and
dashed through the streets at mid
day, tearing houses to pieces, throw
ing them into the air, and utterly
wrecking the neighborhood. 1t also
killed many people, after which it was
seen quietly feeding in the gardens
near the town.
Another native told a similar story.
This time the rougue appeared at
night, broke down fences and des-
troyed crops. When fired upon, it
rushed into a small village, doing
much damage and driving the inhab.
itants to the woods.
Still another man reported that for
weeks a public road between two
villages had been deserted by every
one, because the rogue had taken
possession. The man added that at
the time of the hunter's coming the
elephant was destroying the rice
fields about the town, the people be-
ing powerless to prevent him.
This evidence was sufficient to show
that the elephant was a sly and vi
cious rogue and must be approached
with caution.
Ten or fifteen elephants that could
be relied upon were engaged, and also
force OF experienced beaters and
drivers. Early one morning the par
" set out for the capture OF the rogue
then supposed to be about thirteen
miles away.
Finally they reached the neighbor-
hood in which the rogue was suppos-
ed to be hiding. The hunter found
that the villagers had told no more
than the truth. The people were in
a state of terror, not knowing at
what moment the huge animal might
rush out upon them. The night be-
fore it had been seen feeding in the
rice-felds, and probably it was then
not far away. After seeing his men
and elephants established in camp,
the hunter went with the head man
OF the village to look over the ground.
The head man was greatly excited,
and told some marvellous stories
about the elephant and its doings.
He showed the newcomers field
where the fences had ben RACED to the
ground and trampled to pieces, and
the crops eaten or destroyed. The
rogue had been there the previous
night, and as it would return again
to continue its feast upon what was
lett, the sportsman decided to await
1t there. In the centre of patch of
grain was framework platform or
Scaffoldipg, built by the natives. to
serve the purpose of an American
Scarecrow. 1t was large enough
tor few natives to stand upon.
They frightened away birds or beasts
by beating tomtoms and making
other loud noises.
The hunter informed the native
that he would station himself on the
scaffolding that evening, and shoot
the rogue when it came to finish it's
meal. The head man shook his head,
and replied that it was place of
great danger; but the sportsman in
sisted, and night found him lying
upon the scaffolding with several
gun.bearers, while others were hidden
about the field
The rogue usually appeared at
about nine O'Clock; but that hour
passed, and midnight came without
signs of it. AS the hours passed on,
the watchers began to think that
possibly the animal had made one of
its sudden marches and was now far
away.
Suddenly snort was heard, and
the next moment a big form could be
made out standing among the vege-
tation. 1t was the elephant. 1t had
approached so quietly that no one
had heardit. The sportsman leveled
his heavy rife, and, when he saw a
good opportunity, fired. The answer
was snort, seemingly of defiance,
while the animal charged in the direc-
ton from which the flash appeared.