A QUOTATION FROM SIR SAMUEL BAKER 



sides. Tahir Sherriff and his youngest brother 

 Ibrahim now separated, and each took opposite sides 

 of the elephant, and then joined each other about 

 twenty paces behind it, I accompanied them until 

 Tahir advised me to keep about the same distance 

 upon the left flank. In front of the elephant were 

 two Aggageers — one of whom was the renowned 

 Rodder Sherriff — with the withered arm. All being 

 ready for action. Rodder now rode slowly towards 

 the head of the cunning old bull, who was quietly 

 awaiting an opportunity to make certain of some one 

 who might give him a good chance. Rodder rode a 

 bay mare. . . . Slowly and coolly she advanced 

 towards her wary antagonist, until within about eight 

 or nine yards of the elephant's head, the creature 

 never moved, and the mise en scene was beautiful ; 

 not a word was spoken, and we kept our places amidst 

 utter silence, which was at length broken by a snort 

 from the mare who gazed intently at the elephant, 

 as though watching for the moment of attack ; one 

 more pace forward and Rodder sat coolly upon his mare, 

 with his eyes fixed upon those of the elephant. For 

 an instant I saw the white of his eye nearest to me. 

 ' Look out. Rodder, he's coming ! ' I exclaimed. With 

 a shrill scream the elephant dashed upon him like an 

 avalanche ! Round went the mare as though upon a 

 pivot, and away over rocks and stones, fljing like a 

 gazelle, with the monkey-like form of little Rodder 

 Sherriff leaning forward and looking over his left 

 shoulder as the elephant rushed after him. For a 

 moment I thought he would be caught. Had his 

 mare stumbled all was lost, but she gained in the race — 

 after a few quick bounding strides, and Rodder still 

 looking behind him, kept his distance so close to the 

 elephant that its outstretched trunk was within a 

 few paces of the mare's tail. 



" Tahir Sherriff and his brother Ibrahim swept 

 down like falcons in his rear. In full speed they 

 dexterously avoidetl the trees until they arrived up<Mi 

 open ground, when they dashed up close to the hind- 

 quarters of the furious elephant, who maddened with 



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