CHAPTER XXIX 



MAHOMETAN FAITH AND ELEPHANT MEAT 



THE Mahometan, as is well known, never 

 partakes of the flesh of an animal that has not been 

 killed by cutting its throat with the usual formalities 

 prescribed by the religion, and, of course, the ele- 

 phant, like the pig, is one of the animals that 

 is taboo among the followers of the Prophet. 



Some time ago (it was in October, 1907), I 

 witnessed a most amusing spectacle in which 

 temptation and faith engaged in a bitter struggle for 

 mastery, a spectacle which might have served to 

 illustrate an old saying inverted ' the flesh is strong 

 but the spirit is weak.' At the time of which I 

 speak, I had among my men several who were pure 

 and unadulterated heathens and splendid fellows 

 to boot ! On one occasion, the day after I had shot 

 some elephants, these happy pagans were making a 

 good meal on the fat, juicy flesh done to a turn over 

 a clear, wood fire, when several natives of the 

 Wangindo tribe, Mahometans by faith, came 



