IIAMRAM SWORD-HUNTERS. 367 



and most probably Suleiman also, as the three were 

 caught in a cul-de-sac, in a passage that had no out- 

 let, and were at the animal's mercy. 



" Abou Do seldom failed ; it was a difficult feat 

 to strike correctly in the narrow jungle passage, 

 with the elephant in full speed, but the blow was 

 fairly given, and the back sinew was divided. Not 

 content with the success of the cut, he immediately 

 repeated the stroke upon the other leg, as he feared 

 that the elephant, although disabled from rapid 

 motion, might turn and trample loli. The extraor- 

 dinary dexterity and courage required to effect this 

 feat can hardly be appreciated by those who have 

 never hunted a wild elephant; but the extreme agility, 

 pluck, and audacity of these Hamran sword-hunters 

 surpass all feats that I have ever witnessed." 



In concluding these few particulars respecting the 

 Aggajeers, I would remark that Sir Samuel Baker, 

 in his first interview with those men, and prior to 

 seeing for himself their brave deeds in the field, 

 pays the following just and honorable tribute to 

 their merits. 



" As I listened to these fine fellows, who in a 

 modest and unassuming manner recounted their 

 adventures as a matter of course, I felt exceedingly 

 small, ^ly whole life, from early manhood, had 

 been passed in wild sports, and I had imagined that 

 I understood as much as most people on the sub- 

 ject ; but here were men who, without the aid of 

 the best rifles and deadly projectiles, went straight 

 at their game, and faced the lion in his den with 

 shield and sabre. There is a freemasonry among 



