SECOND EXPEDITION JO SOUTH AFRICA in 



ambush. The moment an elephant comes within reach of 

 one of the pairs a man springs up and, running towards him, 

 throws a very heavy hafted- spear twelve to fifteen inches in 

 the iron head not straight, for it would not penetrate but in 

 a sort of curve, and the descending weapon buries itself by 

 its own weight. The man is in full view, the irritated beast 

 usually makes for him, and though fleet of foot the hunter 

 would very often be caught were it not for his mate, who, 

 immediately the elephant charges, runs up behind him as close 

 as he can, and sounds a shrill whistle, made generally of the leg- 

 bone of a crane, which each wears hung round his neck by a 

 leathern thong. The elephant hears it, and, cautious even in 

 his rage, stops suddenly to find out what danger is in his rear. 

 As he turns, another spear is thrown ; another charge, and 

 another whistle ; and this goes on until the animal is exhausted 

 and winded, when the final coups are given by men running in 

 and stabbing him behind the ribs, while their companions 

 occupy his attention in front. In this manner a dozen Bush- 

 men will often kill two or three out of a herd. 



The Boers have an effective, though cruel, way of killing 

 them. Their legs are solid, not hollow with marrow, like 

 those of most animals ; they need to be strong, for a large bull 

 weighs all six tons. The jagers come upon the herd and wish 

 to bag as many as they can ; they are not fond of getting too 

 near, and bombarding effectively from a distance is a work of 

 time, so they take the first shots, if opportunity offer, at the 

 forelegs of two or three. The ball splinters and weakens the 

 limb ; the sagacity of the animal tells him this at once, and he 

 instantly stands immovable, lest his weight should break it. 

 The hunters follow the rest of the herd and shoot one or two 

 perhaps, and then return to the cripples, who fall an easy prey 

 to the roe'rs at close quarters. Nine times out of ten the 

 elephant refuses to stir, but if goaded into attempting a charge, 

 the bone snaps directly weight in motion is thrown upon it, 

 and the poor brute falls. It is a most pitiful sight to see these 

 fine, intelligent monsters quietly awaiting death standing, 



