Norwich bulletin., 1914-07-01
FIRST AID BRIGADE
 IN ELEPHANT HERD
Experiences of Exporer AkeIey On
 African Trip.
(special to The RuIletinl

Special to The BuIletin)
 Washington, D. C.. June 3O.-Carl E. Akeley, African Explorer, in a com munication to the National Geographic Society, at Washington, D. c. tells of an elephant "frst-aid brigade,' made up of the female elephants of a herd, which not only attempted to give suc- cor to their wounded sultan" but went on patrol duty in an effort to pun iSh his asSailant
 While hunting elephant in Uganda. MT. Akeley came upon a herd in a clearing, rounded up in close fornia.- tlon, conscious of the presence of an unseen enemy There were about 35 elephants, mostly cows, and just as l was on the point of backing off to a safer distance, thinking there were no big bulls in the lot, a fine pair of tusks appeared on the near side" he says. "A clump of bushes offered cov- CT Tor near approach and I went in quickly within 20 Sards of him, and as his front leg was thrust forward of ferfng good opportunity for a heart shot, I fired both barrels of the double rifle in quick succession.
 All was commotion as I siezed my second rifle, and seeing there was no direct charge. retreated some 50 yards to the top of an ant hill from which could see what was going on. l then witnessed a scene such as l had heard described and which I had been keen to verify. number of COWS were clustered about the bull, for he had fallen 30 yards from where he was shot and with their tuskS and trunks were doing their best to get him up- on his feet; the remainder of cows were doing patrol duty, rushing about in an increasing circle, searching for the source of the trouble. That meant me. so retired to safe distance and waited for the atmosphere to clear. This bull stood Il feet and inches high at the shoulders, and the tusks weighed 95 and 110 pounds respective ly, while the circumference of the front foot at the sole was 67 1-2 inches, the largest recorded, believe.
 Tt Is generally understood that large bull elephants are more ire quently to be found apart from the herds, but our experience does not bear this out. Three bulls that we have shot, having tusks each weigh ing over 100 pounds, have been herd bulls. We found the large old bulls enjoying the society and protection of large herds of cows and young ani- mals. One splendid old bull well known in Urganda, who has been seen by many hunters. is so well pro- tected by a large herd of most ag- gressive cows, who charge at the slightest intimation of danger, that he still survives. These old bulls are very rare, TOT when one uaS QeNciOp6Q tusks of 50 pounds he becomes the target for every hunter, native or white, who sets eyes upon him; thus it is only the more crafty or timid individuals that, seeking the protec- ton of large herds or clinging to the more inaccessible regions, such as dense forests, manage to survive to a ripe old age and develop a full growth of ivory.
 At another time. I was watching a herd from an ant hill. when from the cows there was a low, Ominous rumble like distanct thunder. which was plain talk and meant trouble. A nasty glance around convinced us that there was but one thing to do, to stand and meet the charge from the elevation Where we were and from which we could see If we tried to escape to one side or to the forest we could not see them over the high grasses before they were upon us. They charged toward us came half way and stopped. They had lost the wind. but immediately caught 1t again. and roaring and screaming with redoubled energy came into view over a slight rise. It was a ears at full spread, trunks thrashing wildly, roaring. screaming mass, 40 tons of frantic female elephant ven- geance. I remember that l felt home sick. A rifle shot stopped the leader, but, encouraged by the others, she came on. only to be knocked down by the second shot The others crowded about her, sniffed and-bolted. The old COW slowly regained her. feet and staggered away, while we in deep grat- itude returned to camp"