The Nile Tributaries of Abyssinia 95 



and stones, flying like a gazelle, with the monkey-like form of little Rodur 

 Sherif 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 his distance so close to the elephant that 

 its outstretched trunk was within a few feet of the mare's tail. 



' ' Taher Sherif and his brother Ibrahim swept 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 excitement, heeded nothing but Rodur and his mare, 

 that were almost within its grasp. When close to the tail of the elephant, Taher 

 Sherif s sword flashed from its sheath, as, grasping his trusty blade, he leapt 

 nimbly to the ground, while 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 followed 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 sharp round, and again faced the elephant as before. 

 Stooping quickly from the saddle, he picked up from the ground a handful of 

 dirt which he threw into the face of the vicious-looking animal, that once more 

 attempted 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 great bull 

 elephant could not move ! the first cut with the sword had utterly disabled it ; 

 the second was its death blow ; the arteries of the leg were divided, and the 

 blood spouted in jets from the wounds. I wished to terminate its misery by 

 a bullet behind the ear, but Taher Sherif begged me not to fire, as the elephant 

 would quickly bleed to death without pain, and an unnecessary shot might 

 attract the Base, who would steal the flesh and ivory during our absence." 

 -(p. 438.) 



Aud so they left the poor beast ! and really we were not sorry 

 to learn that the Base did steal the flesh and ivory before their 

 return, the whereabouts of the quarry having been betrayed by the 

 vultures before they got back with the necessary conveyance for 

 carrying off" the spoil. 



Such an exploit beats bull fighting. There is only one trifling 

 criticism which we would venture to make on the exciting narra- 

 tive, and that is, that Taher Sherif must have been well up and 

 abreast with the elephant when he jumped down to deliver the 

 hamstringing blow, for he must have been parallel with it, and also 

 standing still when he delivered it. It is plain that he could not 

 have delivered a two-handed blow when running : let anyone try 



