CHASE OF THE ELEPHANT 457 



tlie dense thick thorny bushes met with on the margin of that 

 river, and to which the elephant usually flees for safety, he 

 followed through a narrow pathway by lifting up some of 

 the branches, and forcing his way through the rest ; but when 

 he had JTist got over this difficulty, he saw the elephant, whose 

 tail he had but got glimpses of before, now rushing full speed 

 towards him. There was then no time to lift up branches, so 

 lie tried to force the horse through them. He could not effect 

 a passage, and as there was but an instant between the attempt 

 and failure, the hunter tried to dismount, but in doing this one 

 loot was caught by a branch, and the spur drawn along the 

 animal's flank ; this made him spring away, and throw the rider 

 on the ground with his face to the elephant, which being in full 

 chase, still went on. Mr. Oswell saw the huge fore-foot about 

 to descend on his legs, parted them, and drew in his breath, as if 

 to resist the pressure of the other foot, which he expected would 

 next descend on his body. His relief may be imagined, when 

 he saw the whole length of the under part of the enormous 

 l)rute pass over him, leaving him perfectly unhurt. 



In Abyssinia the elephant is hunted in an original manner. 

 The men, who make this their chief occupation, dwell constantly 

 ill the woods, and live entirely upon the flesh of the animals they 

 kill. They are exceedingly agile and dexterous, both on horse- 

 back and on foot ; indispensable qualities, partly inherited and 

 partly acquired by constant practice. Completely naked to 

 render their movements more easy, and to prevent their being 

 laid hold of by the trees and bushes ; two of these bold 

 huntsmen get on horseback ; one of them bestrides the 

 l)ack of the steed, a short stick in one hand, the reins in the 

 other, while behind him sits his companion, armed with a sharp 

 broadsword. As soon as they perceive a grazing elephant, they 

 instantly ride up to him, or cross him in all directions if he flies, 

 uttering at the same time a torrent of abuse, for the purpose, as 

 they fancy, of raising his anger. With outstretched trunk the 

 elephant attempts to seize the noisy intruders, and following the 

 perfectly trained horse, which, springing from side to side, leads 

 him along in vain pursuit, neglects flight into the woods, his sole 

 chance of safety, for while his whole attention is fixed on the 

 rapid movements of the horse, the swordsman, who has sprung 

 unperceived from its back, approaches stealthily from behind, and 



