THE GREAT THICK-SKINNED ANIMALS i6i 



exercised in this, the sportsman advances through country presenting 

 every variety of feature. He may cross stony ridges and plunge into 

 the heart of shady, tangled forests, traverse fields of waving grass, 

 and reach the open veldt. He must take great care to let no noise or 

 sight of him reach the herd. Should he arrive within range without 

 alarming the intended victim, he may adopt anyone of a number of 

 methods of procedure. Perhaps the country is flat and open and in 

 this case the hunter will probably shoot from the saddle and trust to his 

 horse to escape the charge of the wounded elephant in case the first 

 shot fails to kill, as often happens. In the forest or in very rough 

 ground, however, a horse is worse than useless and is sent to the rear, 

 the shooting being done on foot and the men taking advantage of the 

 trees and dense underbrush to escape should the elephant sight them. 

 In any case this animal is one of the most dangerous and the sight of 

 a wounded elephant, furious with rage and pain, charging down is 

 one never to be forgotten should the adventurous huntsman survive to 

 tell the tale. 



Having taken up the desired position the hunter awaits a favor- 

 able opportunity and then tries to shoot the elephant either in the 

 forehead between the eyes or just back of the foreshoulder, as many 

 times as possible. Should one of these shots take efifect, the elephant 

 will fall, but often a great many shots are necessary because of the 

 thick tough skin. 



A FAMOUS HUNTER TELLS THIS THRILLING STORY. 



"On the 27th, as day dawned, I left my shooting-hole, and pro- 

 ceeded to inspect the spoor of my wounded rhinoceros. After follow- 

 ing it for some distance I came to an abrupt hillock, and fancying that 

 from the summit a good view might be obtained of the surrounding 

 country, I left my followers to seek the spoor, while I ascended. I did 

 not raise my eyes from the ground until I had reached the highest pin- 

 nacle of rock. I then looked east, and to my inexpressible gratification, 

 beheld a troop of nine or ten elephants quietly browsing within a 

 quarter of a mile of me. I allowed myself only one glance at them, 

 and then rushed down to warn my followers to be silent. A' council of 

 war was hastily held, the result of which was my ordering Isaac to 



