THE AFRICAN ELEPHANT 



farmer when hunting found the remains of Crick's 

 body in the bush. His dog came out of a dense 

 mass of scrub with a bone, which the farmer recog- 

 nised as human. Investigations revealed Crick's 

 body, or rather, skeleton, enveloped in tattered 

 clothing. The skeleton was in a crouching position. 

 The feet were still in the boots ; the knees were bent, 

 the body resting on them, and the head was on the 

 ground. Beneath the body lay a rusty revolver 

 with one cartridge discharged. Retiring to the 

 very heart of the Elephant-haunted bush, Crick 

 destroyed his body that his spirit might join that 

 of the man he loved. Crick was a most interesting 

 character. Too restless and erratic to settle to any 

 employment, he hunted the Addo Bush for game. 

 For many days in succession he would disappear into 

 the bush. Once upon a spoor he followed it up like 

 a Red Indian, nay ! I do him an injustice, a Red 

 Indian was a tyro in comparison. Killing a buck 

 he suspended it from a branch, kindled a fire and 

 dined, returning when hungry to the carcase, until 

 it was consumed or too decayed to eat. Only sheer 

 hunger drove him back to association with his fellow 

 beings. After earning enough money to buy 

 ammunition, tobacco, salt, sugar and coffee, he 

 disappeared into the bush. Contrary to Government 

 regulations, he shot and killed many an Elephant. 

 He took no chances of long shots. He would lie 

 concealed half the night, and often all night, at 

 a favourite Elephant resort. Waiting until an 



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