The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1895-01-31
HUNTING A ROGUE ELEPHANT.
The Ungovernabie Beast Had Terrorized
an Entire Community.


amusement and information, was met
by a deputation of natives from small
village, who asked his protection from
an elephant that had taken up its resi-
dence nsar their town. Not only had |
the great animal again and again de-
stroyed their crops, but it had killed |
several men. Altogether, the elephant |
was the terror of the large and former
ly prosperous community.
The hunter assured the natives that |
he would try to destroy their enemy, |
and he at once made his preparations
The stranger was an experienced ele-
plant hunter, having followed the
great beasts wherever found, in Africa,
Ceylon and India He knew at once
that this troublesome fellow was what
is known as ''rogue"-a term given to
elephants that are vicious, not simply
roguisb-brutes that try to destroy
everything, especially the property
and lives of men.
First he must learn, if possible, the
ways and habits of this especial rogue,
and, with that object in view, he con-
| suited the head men and hunters 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 dense Jungle near his native
town and dashed through the streets
at midday, tearing houses to pieces,
throwing them into the air, and utter
ly wrecking the neighborhood. 1t also
killed many people, after which it was
seen quietly feeding in the gardens
nea. the town.
Another native told a similar story.
This time the rogue appeared at night,
broke down fences and destroyed the
crops. When fred upon it rushed into
a small village, doing much damage
and driving the inhabitants to the
woods.
Still another man reported that for
weeks a public road between two vii
lagos had been deserted by every one,
because the rogue had taken posses
sion. The man added that at the time
of the hunters coming the elephant
was destroying the rice fields about the
town, the people being powerless to
prevent him.
This evidence was sufficient to show
that the elephant was sly and vicious
rogue and must be approached with
caution.
Ten or fifteen elephants that could be
relied upon were engaged, and also a
force OF experienced heaters and driv-
ers. Early one morning the party set
out for the capture of the rogue-then
supposed to be about thirty miles away.
Finally they reached the neighbor-
hood in which the rogue was supposed
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 before it had been
seen feeding in the rice fields, and prob
ably it was then not far away. After
seeing his men and elephants estab-
! lished 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. PIE
showed the newcomers field where
the fences had been RACED to the ground
and trampled to pieces, and the crops
eaten or destroyed. The rogue haG
been there the previous night, and as
it would return again to continue its
feast upon what was left, the sports
, man decided to await 1t there. In the
centre of a patch of grain was frame
work platform or scatfolding, built by
, the natives, to serve the purpose of al
, American scarecrow. 1t was large
: enough for few natives to stand upon
; They frightened away birds or beasts
by beating tomtoms and making othel
loud noises.
, The hunter informed the native tina
, he would station himself on the scat
t folding that evening, and shoot the
, rogue when it came to finish its meal
, The head man shook his head, and re
= piled that it was a place of great dan
: ger: but the sportsman insisted, ant
: night found him lying upon the scat
$ folding with several gun-bearers, while
others were hidden about the field
l The rogue usually appeared at abou
> nine o'clock but that hour passed, anC
4 midnight came without signs of it. A
the hours passed on, the watchers be
q gan to think that possibly the ANNA
i, had made one of it's sudden marche
: and was now far away.
e Suddenly snort was heard, and tn
: next moment big form could be mad
. out standing among the vegetation.
S was the elephant. 1t had approache,
: so quietly that no one had heard it
s The sportsman leveled his heavy rifle
e and, when he saw good opportunity
/: fired. The answer was snort, seem
e ingly of defiance, while the ANNA
charged in the direction from which TIL
s flash appeared. Finding only the scat
a folding, the rogue seized it, and with ;
= single wrench hurled it to the ground
= Fortunately, the men were thrown sew
" eral yards away, and, falling anon.
e the vegetation, were not injured
r While they made their way to cover
S the rogue rushed off to the woods
t That it was wounded they discovers
a the following day, and on a second oc
. casion the animal was killed by the in
: trepid hunter, who might easily hav
u lost his life at the time the scatfoldin,
was pulled down.-C. f. Holder, in ST
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