no 



The Country Gcjitlciiuvis Idagazinc 



Duntiug, Jjishing, auti ^hooting. 



ELEPHANT HUNTING IN ABYSSINIA. 



IN the very interesting volume recently 

 published by Sir Samuel Baker,-' he gives 

 a most graphic acount of the hunting of wild 

 elephants as practised by the " Sword Hun- 

 ters of the Hamran Arabs." He says : — 



"Before my arrival at Soft, I heard of a particular 

 tribe of Arabs, that inhabited the Base country ; these 

 were the Hamrans, who were described as the most 

 extraordinary Nimrods, who hunted and killed all wild 

 animals, from the antelope to the elephant, with no 

 other weapon than the sword ; the lion and the rhi- 

 noceros fell alike before the invincible sabres of these 

 mighty hunters. 



When provided with horses these hunters 

 boldly follow up the elephant in his strong- 

 hold. In describing one of these adventures, 

 where the animal was brought to bay, Sir 

 Samuel proceeds : — 



" The elephant stood facing us like a statue ; it did 

 not move a muscle, beyond a quick and restless action 

 of the eyes that were watching all sides. Taher 

 Sherif and his youngest brother Ibrahim now separated, 

 and each took opposite sides of the elephant, and then 

 joined each other about twenty yards behind it ; I ac- 

 companied them, until Taher advised me to keep 

 about the same distance on the left flank. My tok- 

 rooris kept apart from the scene, as they were not re- 

 quired. In front of the elephant were two agageers, 

 one of whom was the renowned Rodur Sherif, with 

 the withered arm. All being ready for action, 

 Rodur now rode slowly towards the head of the cun- 

 ning old bull, who was quietly awaiting an opportu- 

 nity to make certain of some one who might give him a 

 good chance. 



" Rodur Sherif rode a bay mare, that, having been 

 thoroughly trained to these encounters, was perfect at 

 her work. Slowly and coolly she advanced towards 

 her wary antagonist, until within about eight or nine 

 yards of the elephant's head. The creature never 

 moved, and the misc en scene was beautiful, not a word 

 was spoken, and we kept our places amidst utter still- 

 ness, which \\'as at length broken by a snort from the 



* The Nile Tributaries of Abysinia, and the Sword Hunters 

 of the Hamran Arabs. By Sir Samuel W. Baker, INI. A., &c. 

 I vol. London : M'Millan & Co. 1867. 



mare, ^^^ho gazed intently at the elephant, as though 

 watching for the moment of attack. 



" One more pace forward, and Rodur sat coolly 

 upon his mare with his eyes fixed upon those of the 

 elephant. For an instant I saw the white of the eye 

 nearest to me. ' Look out, Rodur, he's coming ! ' I 

 exclaimed : \\-ith a shrill scream the elephant dashed 

 upon him like an avalanche. 



' ' Round about wtnt. the mare, as though upon a jjivot, 

 and away over rocks and stones, flying like a gazelle, 

 M ith the monkey-like fomi of Rodur leaning forward 

 and looking over his left shoulder as the elephant 

 rushed after him. 



" For a moment I thought he must be caught. Had 

 the mare stumbled, all were lost, but she gained in the 

 race after a few quick, bounding strides, and Rodur 

 still looking behind him, kept close to the elephant 

 that its outstretched tmnk was within a few feet of the 

 mare's tail. 



" Taher Sherif and his brother Ibrahim s\\'ept down 

 like falcons in the rear. In full speed they dexterously 

 avoided the trees, until they arrived upon open ground 

 when they dashed up close to the hind quarters of 

 the furious elephant, who, maddened with the excite- 

 ment, heeded nothing but Rodur and his mare, that 

 were almost within its grasp. When close to the tail 

 of the elephant, Taher Sherif's y.wovA flashed from its 

 sheath, as, grasping his trusty blade, he leapt nimbly 

 to the ground wliil^ Ibrahim caught the reins of his 

 horse. Two or three bounds on foot, with the sword 

 clutched in both hands, and he was close behind the 

 elephant. A bright glance shone like lightning, as the 

 sun struck upon the descending steel. This was fol- 

 lowed by a dull crack, as the sword cut through skin 

 and sinews, and settled deep in the bone, about 12 

 inches above the foot. At the next stride the elephant 

 halted dead short in its tremendous charge. Taher 

 had jumped quickly on one side, and had vaulted into 

 the saddle with his naked sword in hand. At the 

 same moment, Rodur, who had led the chase, turned 

 sharji round, and again faced the elephant as before. 

 Stooping quickly from the saddle he picked up from 

 tlie ground a handful of dirt which he threw into the 

 face of the vicious looking animal, that once more at- 

 tempted to rush upon him. It was impossible ! the 

 foot was dislocated, and turned up in front like an old 

 shoe. In an instant Taher was once more on foot, and 

 again the sharp sword slashed the remaining leg. 

 The gi^eat bull elephant could not move ! the first cut 



