The times., 1900-12-26
Tanning Young Elephants.

Cherry's scheme for tanning young ele-
phants did not prove to be a success for
the reason that he could not keep them
from starving TO death when they were
deprived of their mothers milk. He made
number of preparations of food for
them, but the little animals would not
eat them, or If they did, they failed TO
thrive and soon died. They would follow
him around the camp like SO many dogs
as long as they could walk but he was
sadly disappointed by his inability TO keep
them alive. He will return to Africa he
fore a great while and he intends to take
with him a food preparation which ne be-
lieves they Will find palatabIe and nour-
ishing, He still has faith in his ability
to make them useful for African trans
portation and he Will try to prove 1t on
his next trip, though elephant tanning will
not be the most important purpose of his
next expedition
The young man lived on the fat of the
land during his three years among these
tribes. He made ii his business to show
them, as soon as he introduced himself.
that he could be helpful to them. He
could Kill an elephant or a hippopotamus
while they were getting ready to so
hunting. There was no dearth of fresh
meat while he was around. When he
laid low a specimen of big game nine
filled his camp with chickens, eggs ma
nioe, yams and all sorts of native food
in exchange for his meat; and strange to
say he liked the native food and thrived
on II. He insists that fresh elephant
or hippopotamus steak is good to eat; and
that he does not disdain the fried arts
and other relishes which the native cui-
sine provides. There is no accounting
for tastes. He had no salt for most Of
he vii . hn
that was his worst deprivation
Cherry made friends with the chiefs,
large and small, including King Bangasso,
who has about 0,000 subjects and who
proclaimed a few years ago that there
should be no more human sacrifices in his
domain. In his expeditions around the
country the chiefs would see that he was
provided with carriers. When he tray-
eled north into wholly unknown country
he met one chief who was so enamored
OF his prowess .as hunter that he de-
cided to retain his services permanently,
and it was several weeks before he con-
sented TO permit the young man to de-
part. On this journey Cherry intended to
push northward TO Wadai, on the border
of the Sahara. but that was the heyday
of the conquering Rabba's ravages in the
Soudan and the native reports of trouble
in the north that caused Cherry alone as
he was. to desist frem further advance.
doubtless referred to RaDDd murderOuS
work.
After three years of this life Cherry
gathered up the ivory he had collected
and returned TO the west coast. where he
took steamer for Europe, sold his ivory
at Antwerp for a snug sum that will en-
able him to return to Africa with COM
Portable equipment. and then sailed for
home with very large collection illus
trating the handiwork of the tribes among
whom he has lived. His collection of pho
tographs is particularly fine and complete.
He has q good deal of respect for the
native African, whom he has found. on the
whole, TO be kind and faithful If he is in
spired with confidence in the stranger who
comes 10 him. He has derived from his
study of the natives and of their tradi-
tions some theories as to their descent
and their migrations in Africa. These
theories may or may not commend them
selves % anthropologists. but Cherry is
convinced that they are worthy of extend
ed effort to substantiate or disprove them
by the collection OF evidence among other
tribes, and this will be the main purpose
OF his third period of travel in Africa, He
says the native has keen sense of humor,
which appears to be one of his most at
tractive characteristics.
Cherry's seven years in tropical Africa
certainly show that travel in that part of
the world has Ie great terrors for anyone
who has the special gift OF knowing how
to get along with the natives. and who is
able to keep a cool head and Mark Tapley's
serenity of mind among vicissitudes that
are very trying to the nerves and temper
New York Sun.