The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1898-01-27

ana experience 10 the emo Oh escaping, VI
couple with this design a project for re-
venge. Like everything else in nature,
however, the way in which both lnten-
tons are carried out is not the way which
might at first sight have been anticipated
Influenced by false analogies, there is a
tendency to suppose that large and power
full creatures would be less dexterouS in
evasion than smaller and weaker ones;
that beasts of prey should furnish those
forms from whom retaliation was most
frequently to be expected; that species
whose intelligence Justly ranked them
high, must necessarily exhibit their SUI
periority in these very significant and
important parts of conduct.
But facts do not correspond with such
conclusions. An elephant is well nigh ,
idiotic when it comes to getting out Of
trouble; while rhinoceros with its small |
brain and habtually blundering behavior,
as also an African buffalo, the representa-
tive of one of the stupidest orders among
mammals, Will extricate itself with far
more readiness, and frequently arrange its
retreat IN such n manner as to bring de-
structiOn upon those who follow.
1t is not only that the black rhinoceros
(of either species) is immensely powerful
very formidably armed, much more active
than its appearance indicates, and one OF
the fiercest bruteS on earth; but that when
wounded, or hard pressed in any place
where cover can be found, it displays great
ability for binding trail and leading its
purSuers into danger.
Drummond nearly lost his life in this man
ner; Anderson had his horse killed and was
badly wounded. Here, however, comes in
one OF those strange irregularities Which
development among wild beasts is apt to
display. There are not half dozen au-
thentic cases where a man actually in it's
power has escaped from an elephant.
Death under these circumstances is al
most inevitable; yet records show com
paratively few fatalities attributable to
rhinoceroSeS.
Any difference between the two, so far
as their competency to kill human beings
is concerned, cannot be worth considering.
Each could destroy q man almost without
effort; and the reason why a rhinOceros is
less deadly than the former animal is to
be found in its peculiar character.
An elephant is consistent and resolved;
the beast has definite purpose which is
rends, and tears, until there IS no doubt
about the result-very often, until his
victim s dismembered body is scarcely to
be recognized or gathered together.
The Borele or Keitl0a-notoriously ag-
greSsive, half the time in bad temper,
cunning enough to double on its track, and
select Il spot for lying in wait so as to at
tack the hunter in rear-nevertheless, has
not the least stability, is much inferior to
an elephant in general intelligence, and
being Like a drunken man in its liability to
forgefulneSS and utter confusion OF mind,
it rarely follows up the first assault.
Hence those many instances where men
have got off with their lives after having
been disabled. They escaped because the
tru then vert charging. stones,
bushes, anything that attracted its at
tention, apparently having become oblivl-
Gus from the intoxication produced by
fury OF the fact that it's original intention
remained unfullilled.
This IS not so with buffalo. IT also is
dangerous creature, hard to KILL and al
| though not often taking the initiative, very
ferocious,, fully equal in strategy to a
rhinocer0s, and much more capable of
carrying out its malcvOlent designs. Let
us take such scene as has been acted
over and over, so as to realize the de-
meanor Of an African buffalo when a man
suddenly appears.
Suppose some old bull to have been shot
1t is extremely unlikely that he will fall at
once, and whether mortally wounded or
not, the chances are that this beast
. charges.
If the hunter is caught, there is very
! little hope for him. He is gOred and
tramped-or rather kncelcd upon-with
| much the same ferocious persistency as if
! an elephant was at work.
| Sometimes the whole herd stampedes :;
most commonly, however, an injured mem
! Der finds supporters and allies among
associates that are also resolved upon
| making reprisalS Those spots which
bufalos frequent likewise render the
pursuit of Ii disturbed band an act Of ex-
IRENE pcrils
! Bottom lands ringing South African
rivers often contain vast beds of reeds
These are tTaveTsed by game paths, and
/ the hippopOtanuS, buffalo and wafer buck
with elephants, and occasionally lions,
! find secure cover there. But ii such
| places afford good harbors, they are among
/ the very worst spots on earth to still hunt
! ia. Nobody, OF course, goes into them
except during dry weather, and even then,
Dogs, lagoOnS, and many times nearly inn
passablc tracks, hamper and perplex the
/ sportsman He can scarcely move with
out betTaying his whereabouts, and if
charged, it is often impossible H. get out of
/ the WY.
wounded and enraged, but not dis
| abled, buffalo hidden in these brakes has
an advantage over its puTsuer. The trail
/ is purposely confused, and often lost, by
| this animals plan OF going about for some
time on those paths which are most tr0d-
den. 1t returns upon its own footsteps;
! the creatures immense strength enables
| ii 10 burst through Jungle impervious in
case OF human purSuerS, and these cross
cuts 10 another game walk are the most
heart breaking ways to go by that can well
4 be imagined.
Ii the sportsman is skillfu1 however, and,
| what contributes even more towards sue
cess, persevering, he may trace this devi-
/ Gus track, and under IL consciousness of
! imminent peril at every step steal along in
| the half light Of dense cover until some
sign Enthusiastically indicates that his
quarry is near. Then the utmost precau-
| ton is necessary in order To get q shot
But il fortune favOrs, and the man be
properly trained, sooner or later a deeper
| shadow than those which lie on all sides
! will catch his eye. This is the buffalo,
standing listening. A little nearer, and
| his proportions come out-onc learns his
distance and position. Should further adj
vance be made suceessfully-fo no COM
| potent person fires tfnough a screen, or
without seeing the exact spot aimed at
| the time comes when the hunter, parting
| intervening obstacles, takes a quick, steady
| sight, and hears that deep death below
which tells with certainty his game has
fallen.
This is what happens when everything
| turns out well. But those who 90 into
such places carry their lives in their hands,
and numbers have entered there never TO
return. Lions devoured them, they were
| killed by hippOpotami-sOme of which
are extremely ferocious, and quite able to
bite a man in half with single crunch of
the jaw. Crocodiies llurk along Iagoons
which floods leave scattered about; more
| over, great reed beds always contain open
SPACES that are frequently resorted to by
elephants, and they seem to be more dan
gerously disposed in these situations than
- ny, rI,sr aIS