io6 THE RIFLE AND HOUND IN CEYLON, chak v. 



dreaded weapon powerless. The sharp lances were 

 repeatedly driven into his side, and several of the 

 boldest hunters climbing up the steep ascent of his 

 back, an axe was seen to fall swiftly and repeatedly 

 upon his spine, on the nape of his tough neck. The 

 giant form suddenly sank ; the spine was divided, and 

 the avenging blow was dealt by the husband of his late 

 victim. The destroyer was no more. The victory was 

 gained without the loss of a man.' 



The natives said that this elephant was mad ; if 

 so it may account in some measure for the unheard-of 

 occurrence of an elephant devouring flesh. Both ele- 

 phants and buffaloes attack man from malice alone, 

 without the slightest idea of making a meal of him. 

 This portion of the headman's story I cannot possibly 

 believe, although he swears to it. The elephant may, 

 perhaps, have cracked her head and torn his victim to 

 pieces in the manner described, but the actual ' eating ' 

 is incredible. 



