The National tribune., 1899-04-13

as the plain cross hilt, at which place cords
or leather strips are wrapped around 1t for
about five inches. Such an arrangement
converts the arm into one of those old
fashioned two-handed swords. commonly
used when men fought with advcIsarIes
sheathed in mail But its guard breaks the
handle in half, and, besides that. these Arabs.
after fashion inconceivablo by swordsmeD
of other lands, grip their true hilts with the
left hand.
II was towards sunset during the hot sea-
son, when seven agaggeers rode in company
with two white strangers along an arm of
the Stettite, then dry, and coming to an end
close by some rugged nights A large basin
of white sand lay at this point, the bed of a
shallow lake during wet weather, but now
an arena 30 regularly shaped as to seem
artificial The mellow, beautiful light Of
evening fell upon its cleaning expanse, on
somber forest, weathcr-worp rock, and those
dark brakes winch had hidden at one time
OF another most animals that have exercised
q powerful influence over the minds of men
1t was time TO look for 4 camping place, one
where, when properly fenced with thorn
bushes, the horses would be secure, and their
riders have a fair chance either against lions
or Base IoibeTs, who tic up prisoners and cut
into then joints trefoIe putting them to
death
While seeking such a spot, and themselves
concealed at that moment by clump Of scrub.
an elephants harsh, high trumpet sounded on
the left. DIsmountins Immediately and
tethering their animals, all cIept cautiously
into positions where they could get view.
1t came very soon That dense, high brush
wood beyond this basin tossed and swayed
q rendIng and crashing iDtermingled with
the deep, surly uImph. urmph Of some
dissatisfied tuskeT sounded lOnder, then as
his screening foliage was rent asunder, an
immense bull elephant appeared, and the
animal evidently belonged 10 that class Of
old solitary males whom experienced hunters
recognize at once Coming oD for short
distance, he halted. and although nothing
could have warned hIm-since the horse
tracks lay too far off, while such wind as
there WIS blew from his own position-this
wary creature, looming vast and black against
the pallid surface. stood with cooked ears,
sweeping slow moving trunk around. No
sound or scent betrayed ar eneiny's presence,
however, and II the beast had been like
those commonly met with. Ia wonld. after
satisfying itself. have gone on nno1nrernedly
But this was not an ordinary brute One
could See The CLEAN Of those red eyes, while
M aspect unmisiakably menacIng In move.
mcnt and altitude showed that here stood a
foe which many eminent Hportsnen have con.
eidered 10 he the most dangerous IT is possible
70 face; harder To kill more irresistible in
attack. and uniting exceptional intelligence
with the utmost ferocity; never falling
at that forehead shot which infallibly slays
an Asiatic elephant when it is properly
directed, or capable of being disabled by
any single wound likely 10 he inflicted during
the rapidly changing circumstances Of actual
conflict
After time. and when there seemed little
likelihood that this astute animal would
venture far out into an open space. the Arabs
insisted upon attacking it at once They
were assured of their ability TO cut of Its re-
treat into thick cover. where swords would
be useless. One and all protested that al
though the sand was too deep for riding.
nothing prevented such hunters as them.
selves from going on foot. Therefore. yield
Ing 70 the excitement Of this novel situation
permission was given, and these gladiators
sprang into action Immediately The two
rifles were to wait until close lighting began
before taking part, and it was agreed that no
shot should be fred even then. except under
stress of necessity. Sheik Ali swore he would
A'h buS ihHuSi HiuSci'i "uilc us CotupduiOuS
needed no instructions TO tell them bow be
ought to be supported.
To strike au efTective blow at an elephant
In motion The swordsman must be on its left
side and somewhat behind. Then. as the leg
is thrown backward. n sweeping cut is made
about ~ inches above its junction with the
foot. THIS sewers that tendon keeping these
parts in place, and also those arteries which
lie beneath. Another step turns up the foot
in front, while torrents Of blood pour from
divided vessels Having succeeded with one
limb. there is less difficulty in slashing 1T
fellow, for an animal SO wounded must ma
nuver upon three legs In any case, how
ever, one wound Of this kind will cause deati
from hemOuhage, and when duplicated j
does not take very long to drain away The
slaIgeSt tusker's life
More than all else it was now essential 70
the chief swordsman TO gam proper position
md 10 this end the Sheik started of with on
companion, leaving those who remained t
act as events developed themselves OF thi
pair one made detour TO get into the bra!s
from which our elephant came. and preven
his going back through pretending to be hal
dozen men by dint Of thTasbing round an