THE BIG GAME OF AFRICA 



while the hole is carefully covered over with branches and 

 grass. The pit is generally dug right in a regular ele- 

 phant path, so that when the huge beast strolls along in 

 his old track, suspecting no danger, he suddenly steps on 

 the frail " roof " and falls headlong into the pit, where he 

 is then killed by the natives with their long, sharp spears. 

 Another and more " sporty " way is this : The hunter, 

 armed only with a short, sharp steel spear, stuck into a very 

 heavy, wooden shaft, climbs up a big tree, overhanging 

 the elephant path, where he expects the animal to come 

 along. When the unsuspecting elephant reaches the tree, 

 the bushman throws his heavy, double spear with all his 

 strength down into its back, the spear often penetrating 

 to the heart. The iron or steel point of the spear, some- 

 times also poisoned, remains in the body of the elephant, 

 while the heavy wooden shaft falls off and can be used 

 again. The elephant, thus wounded by the poisoned spear 

 or arrow, will, if not hit through heart or lungs, go on for 

 several hours before he falls, closely followed by his slayers. 

 These, then, do not only take out the tusks, but feast on 

 the flesh with relatives and friends, until there is not 

 enough left of the carcass to attract even hyenas or jackals ! 

 Some natives are courageous enough to track the for- 

 est giant in an entirely different way. Armed with a 

 heavy, sharp sword, they follow their intended victim care- 

 fully, until he is within touching distance, which, for 

 naked, light-footed savages, is not a difficult task if the 

 wind is " right." Then with a couple of terrific cuts they 

 sever the sinews of the elephant's hind legs above the feet, 

 which make it impossible for the animal to take another 

 step. The powerless beast is then killed, either by being 



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