150 THE REASON WHY . 



" Beneath his over-shadowing orb of hat, 

 And ample fence of elephantine nose." F. PHILLIPS. 



she placed her flank under his wounded side and supported him. This scene 

 continued nearly half-an-hour, until the female received a severe wound, which 

 drove her again to the bush, where she speedily sank exhausted from the loi\s o/ 

 blood; and the male soon after received a mortal wound. 



AN ELEPHANT'S REVENGE. 



448. Carel Krieger, a celebrated elephant hunter, met with his death in the 

 following manner ; He had been an indefatigable and fearless hunter ; and, being 

 also an excellent marksman, often ventured into the most dangerous situations. 

 One day, having with his party pursued an elephant which he had wounded, the 

 irritated animal suddenly turned round, and singling out from the rest the person 

 by whom he had been wounded, seized him with his trunk, and lifting his wretched 

 victim high in the air, dashed him with fearful force to the ground. Hig 

 companions, struck with horror, fled precipitately from the fatal scene, unable 

 to turn their eyes to behold the rest of the tragedy. But on the following day they 

 repaired to the spot, where they collected the few bones that could be found, and 

 buried them near the spring. The enraged animal had not only trampled his body 

 literally to pieces, but could not feel its vengeance satisfied till it had pounded the 

 very flesh into the dust, so that nothing of this unfortunate man remained 

 excepting a few of the larger bones. 



SAGACITY OF THE ELEPHANT. 



449. When an elephant is employed upon the banks of a muddy river, he 

 frequently begins to sink from his excessive weight. He will then endeavour to 

 throw himself upon his side to prevent his sinking deeper. The manner in which 

 he seconds the efforts which are made to extricate him, when situated as above 

 stated, is very remarkable. Liberal supplies of straw, boughs, and grass are 

 thrown to the distressed animal ; and these he forces down with his trunk till they 

 are lodged under his fore feet in sufficient quantity to resist his pressure. Having 

 thus formed a sufficient basis for exertion, the sagacious animal next proceeds to 

 thrust other bundles under his belly, and as far back under his flanks as he can 

 reach ; when such a basis is formed as may be, in his mind, proper to proceed 

 upon, he throws his whole weight forward, and gets his hind feet gradually upon 

 the straw, &c. Being once confirmed on a solid footing, he will next place the 

 surrounding bundles before him, pressing them well with his trunk so as to form a 

 causeway by which to reach the firm ground. The instinct of the animal, and 

 probably the experience of his past danger, actuates him not to bear any weignt 

 definitely, until, by trial with his trunk and the next foot that is to be planted, he 

 has completely satisfied himself of the firmness of the ground he has to tread 

 upon. When he succeeds in reaching dry ground, he evinces his pleasure in 

 unmistakeable signs. 



