SECOND EXPEDITION 10 SOUTH AFRICA 11 
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_ 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 jigers 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 
orelegs 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. 
ie hunters follow the rest of the herd and shoot one or two 
aps, and then return to the cripples, who fall an easy prey 
io the roérs at close quarters. Nine times out of ten the 
phant refuses to stir, but if goaded into attempting a charge, 
bone snaps directly weight in motion is thrown upon it, 
d the poor brute falls. It is a most pitiful sight to see these 
2, intelligent monsters quietly awaiting death—standing, 
