iv THE ELEPHANT 75 



who was an excellent representative of the type which is embraced 

 in the proud word " Englishman " Mr. Ingram who was killed 

 by a wild female elephant in Somali -land, simply because he 

 attacked the animal with a '450 rifle. Although he was mounted, 

 the horse would not face some prickly aloes which surrounded it, 

 and the elephant, badly but not really seriously wounded, was 

 maddened by the attack, and, charging home, swept the unfortunate 

 rider from his saddle and spitted him with her tusks. 



This year (1889) we have to lament the death of another fine 

 specimen of our countrymen, the Hon. Guy Dawuay, who has been 

 killed by a wild buffalo in East Africa. The exact particulars will 

 never be ascertained, but it appears that he was following through 

 thick jungle a wounded buffalo, which suddenly turned and was 

 not stopped by the rifle. 



I cannot conceive anything more dangerous than the attack of 

 such animals with an inferior weapon. Nothing is more common 

 than the accounts of partially experienced beginners, who declare 

 that the -450 bore is big enough for anything, because they have 

 happened to kill a buffalo or rhinoceros by a shoulder shot with 

 such an inferior rifle. If the animal had been facing them, it 

 would have produced no effect whatever, except to intensify the 

 charge by maddening the already infuriated animal. 



This is the real danger in the possession of what is called a 

 " handy small-bore," when in wild countries abounding in dangerous 

 game. You are almost certain to select for your daily companion 

 the lightest and handiest rifle, in the same manner that you may 

 use some favourite walking-stick which you instinctively select 

 from the stand that is filled with a variety. 



All hunters of dangerous animals should accustom themselves 

 to the use of large rifles, and never handle anything smaller than a 

 577, weighing 12 Ibs., with a solid 650 grain hard bullet, and at 

 the least G drams of powder. I impress this upon all who chal- 

 lenge the dangers of the chase in tropical climates. JSTo person ot 

 average strength will feel the weight of a 12 Ib. rifle when accus- 

 tomed to its use. Although this is too small as a rule for heavy 

 game, it is a powerful weapon when the bullet is hardened by a 

 tough mixture of antimony or quicksilver. A shoulder shot from 

 such a rifle will kill any animal less than an elephant, and the 

 front shot, or temple, or behind the ear, will kill any Asiatic 

 elephant. 



I would not recommend so small a bore for heavy thick-skinned 

 game, but the '577 rifle is a good protector, and you need not fear 

 any animal in your rambles through the forest when thus armed, 



