Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-02-17

sky. The pool itself was alive with the
thrashing forms Of "crocs" and tiger
fish. From the edge of the woods peer
ed a bushbuck. Its trepidation was
great and it was not until 1t had as
sured itself all was well that 1t stepped
timidly across the narrow open space
for liquid refreshment. AS it left the
shelter Of the trees its nervousness was
painful to watch. It's motives were
strangely divided between the desire
for water and the instinct Of self-pres-
ervation, which prompted 1t to keep its
head cooked toward the woods and pos
sible lurking enemies.
In a nearby tree sat wise old gray
monkey studying the scene. With me-
thodical thoroughness he examined
Then, satisfied, he, too, proceeded to
drink, constantly raising his head To
look about, at the same time keeping a
| weather eye open for "crocS." He was
followed by huge crested eagle. Here
| constant vigilance was the price of 9
drink. Next, IL roam marched out nom
chaiantly from the cover. Their num-
bers gave them confidence. Moreover
as they drank. sentries faced each point
of the compass. Their thirst was
slaked in peace. The setting sun cast
luri0 light over the scene.
*#* ~
nAY broke to find us following fresh
elephant tracks. They wound in
and out beneath large, shady trees, and
as the sun swung into the sky smoky
shafts of light that somehow recalled
the effect Of sunbeams in a cathedral
pierced the gloom. The ground was
covered with lush grass.
Passing through the forest, we came
at length to dry swamp covered with
reeds dozen feet high. Then short
distance away, with the abruptness one
comes to expect in Africa, several ele-
plants trumpeted. At last, after weeks
of tedious training, we had arrived.
The tops Of their grayish backs float
ed above the grass like some strange
monsters of the deep, while here and
there sinuous trunk was raised aloft to
test the air. Far into the sky rose a
column of dust.
We we're pressing them closely. Then
Nur, Bill and rounded a bush, and
there they were few yards away, fac
ing us. What sight, From the look
of the ivory they appeared to be cows,
and the fact that several Of them we're
no bigger than Shetland ponies-b.bes
in arms, so to speak-made this more
evident There were IL Of them. They
were Is yards away.
Now. there's fine Of 100 pounds for
wantonly killing COW elephant in the
Sudan. Also, the ivory Is confiscated
and general aroma of disgrace de-
sends like pail over the guilty sports
man. The only Justification Is self
defense-not difficult position to de-
fend, as a rule. when dealing with iras-
chile elephants.
I'm being maliciously assaulted" I
murmured. These bloodthirsty ami
mails. after pursuing US all over the
woods, are planning to wrap their
trunks around our necks and pull our
heads OIL I can see it in their
eyes. If this isn't self-defense,
I'm pacifistl" And selecting one that
stood In the rear, towering above the
others. gave him the brain shot.
The results were startling. The beast
came down on its nose and turned q
complete somersault, carrying q couple
of fair sized trees down with 1t. The
next two minutes were productive Of
more chaos than one generally meets
with in an equal space of time. Now
the fallen animal began to show signs of
life. The rest Of the herd stood around
1t and with trunk and tusk urged 1t to
between two stalwart females, and hus-
tied away. the rest Of them following In
riotous flight
They proceeded after the manner of
the buffalos when they had rescued
their fallen comrade. It was identical
in every respect; the perfection OF
social cooperation. Evidently the Good
Samaritan took his cue from life In the
jungle.
OF course we followed. The trail
was broad and clearly defined by much
fallen timber. as well as column of
dust that rose many feet into the air.
A few hundred yards Of this, and the
herd suddenly halted. Then two cows
members on to some haven of safety,
while four others turned and faced
us. At this point we halted, too
rather abruptly--and squatting on our
launches awaited eventualities. They
new began a slow, sinister advance
again like the buffaloes.
It would have been quite an impress
sive sight II one could have viewed 1t
with more detachment. Their ears
stood straight out from their heads
a matter Of 10 feet from tip to tip:
their trunks curled up into the air;
their tips darting this way and that
their enemies. Nearer and nearer they
came-methodically, irresistibly. The
boys grew exceedingly nervous; We all
became exceedingly nervous.
When they reached point 10 yards
distant was through. My appetite for
elephant had been gratified. This time
it's self-defense, and no nistakel"
flashed through my mind, and picking
out one that had particularly objec-