Year: 1870

THRILLING ADVENTURES WITH WILD BEASTS.

 From Anderson's Travels in Africa,1

 From the constant persecution to which the larger game had of late been subjected at Kobis,it had become not only scarce but wary; and hearing that elephants and rhi. noceroses still continued to resort to Abeg- han, forthwith proceeded there on the night in question. Somewhat incautiously took up my position-alone, as usual-on a narrow neck of land dividing two pools; the space on either side of my skarm be- ing only sufficient for a large animal to stand between me and the water. I was provided with blanket and two or three spare guns

 It was one of the magnificent tropical moonlight nights, when an indescribably soft and enchanting light is shed over the slumbering landscape; the moon was so bright and clear that could discern even Q small animal at considerable distance

 had just completed my arrangements, when noise that can only iken to the passage of train of artillery, broke the stiffness of the air. It evidently came from the direction of one of the numerous stony paths. or rather tracks, leading to the wa ter; and l immagined it was caused by some wagons that might have crossed the Kalahari. Raising myself partially from my recumbent posture, fixed my eyes steadily on the part of the bush whence the strange sounds proceeded; but for some time was unable to make out the cause. All at once, however, the mystery was explained by the appearance of an immense elephant, immediately followed by others, amounting to eighteen. Their towering forms told me at glance that they were all male. It was a splendid sight to behold so many large creatures approach ing with free, sweeping, unsuspecting and stately step. The, somewhat elevated ground from which they emerged, ,and which gradually sloped towards the water, togeth- CT with the misty night air, gave an in- creased appearance of bulk and mightiness to their naturally giant structures.

 Crouching down as low as possible in the skarm, waited with beating heart and ready rifle, the approach of the leading male, who, unconscious of peril, was mak- ing straight for my hiding place, The po- sition of his body, however, was unfavor- able for shot; and knowing from experi- ence that I had little chance of obtaining more than single good one, waited for an opportunity of firing at his shoulder, which is preferable to any part when shooting at night. But this chance, un- fortunately, was not afforded till his enor- nous bulk lowered above my head. The consequence was that while in the act of raising the muzzle of my rife over the skarm, my body caught his eye; and be- fore I could place my piece to my shoulder, he swung himself round, with trunk elevated and ears spread, and desperately charged me.

 It was now too late to think of flight, much less of staying the savage beast. My own life was in immediate jeopardy; and see- ing that if remained partially erect he would inevitably seize me with his pro- boscis, threw myself on my back with sudden violence; in which position, and without shouldering the rifle, fired up wards at random towards his chest, utter ing, at the same time, the most piercing shouts and cries.

 The change of position, in all human saved my life; for, at the same instant, the trunk of the enraged animal descended precisely on the spot where I had previously crouched, sweeping away the stones (many of large size) that formed the fore part of my skarm. like so many pebbles. In another moment his broad fore-feet passed directly over my face!

 Inow expected nothing short of being crushed to death. But. imagine my re- lief, when, instead of renewing the charge, he swerved to the left, and moved off with considerable rapidity-most happily with out my receiving other injury than few bruises, occasioned by the falling of the stones. Under providenceI attributed my extraordinary escape to the confusion of the animal, caused by the wound I had inflicted on him, and to the cries elicited from me in my utmost need.

 Immediately after the elephant had left me was on my legs, and snatching up a spare rife lying at hand, I pointed it at him as he was retreating, and pulled the trigger; but to my intense modification. the piece missed fire. It was matter of thankfulness to me, however, that similar mishap had not occurred when the animal charged; for had my gun not then expload- ed, nothing, as conceive, could, have saved me from destruction.

 During this incident the rest of the elephants retreated into the bush; but by the time I had prepared my skarm, they reappeared, with stealthy and cautious steps. on the opposite side of the pool,