THE STORY OF THE ELEPHANT. 



159 



they come up with the fleeing animal, one seizes the reins of the horse of 

 .his fellow, who immediately leaps to the ground, and with one blow of his 

 huge sword divides the tendon of the elephant's leg a short distance above 

 the heel. The ponderous beast is at once brought to a standstill, and is at 

 the mercy of its aggressors. 



A somewhat similar method was formerly practiced in Mashonaland, only 



AFRICAN ELEPHANT. 



there the hunters went on foot, and their weapon was a broad-bladed axe; 

 with this they crept up behind a sleeping elephant, and severed the back ten- 

 don of the leg in the same manner as above. 



Other tribes in the same district employ a heavily-weighted spear, which 

 is plunged into the animal's back by a hunter seated on a bough overhanging 

 one of the most frequented pathways. On receiving the weapon, the elephant 



