EXTRAORDINARY FEAT. 385 



in the bush whilst they rushed past us. The boldest 

 hunter is killed at last. When pursued by a rhino- 

 ceros I have sprung down a high bank, not 

 knowing its depth, or whether I might not fall on a 

 rock or stump. No, sir, it is a life of no common 

 hardship and danger. I have been obliged to eat 

 the " veldtschoon" (untanned leather shoes) from 

 my feet.' " 



The daring of some of these elephant-hunters 

 almost exceeds credence. One of the most re- 

 markable instances on record is that given to us by 

 Thompson, on the authority of a relative of the 

 hero of the story, a man named Marie 1 , a famous 

 Nimrod, who, in his day, had slain upwards of forty 

 of those animals. At a convivial meeting of friends 

 and neighbours to celebrate New Year's day, 

 when the company were heated with liquor, alul 

 each one had boastingly related deeds of hardihood 

 he himself had performed, Marie laid a wager that 

 he would go into the forest and pluck three hairs 

 from out of the tail of a living elephant ! 



This extraordinary feat he actually performed, 

 and returned safely with the trophy to his comrades. 

 But not satisfied with this specimen of his audacity, 

 he laid another bet that he would return and shoot 

 the same animal on the instant. lie went accord- 

 ingly with his mighty " lloer," but never came 

 back again. He had approached too incautiously, 

 and his first shot not proving effective, the enraged 

 creature rushed upon him before he could reload 

 or make his escape, and having thrust its tre- 



c c 



