THE ELEPHANT. 13^ 



blade of which are covered with whip-cord. This 

 part he takes in his right hand, without any danger 

 of being hurt by it ; and, though the edges of the 

 lower part of the sword are as sharp as a razor, he 

 carries it without a scabbard. 



As soon as an Elephant is found feeding, the 

 horseman rides before him, as near to his face as pos- 

 sible ; or, if he tries to escape, crosses him in all 

 directions, calling out, " I am such a one, and such a 

 one, this is my horse, that has such a name ; I killed 

 your father in such a place, and your grandfather 

 in such another place, and I am now come to kill 

 you, who are nothing in comparison with them." 

 This nonsense he believes the Elephant perfectly to 

 understand ; who, chafed and angry at hearing the 

 noise immediately before him, attempts to seize him 

 with Jiis trunk ; and, intent upon this, follows the 

 horse every where, turning round and round with, 

 him, neglecting to make his escape by running 

 straightforward, in v^hich consists his only safety. 

 After having made him turn a few times in pursuit 

 of the horse, the horseman rides close up be- 

 side of him, and drops his companion just behind, 

 on the off side ; and while he engages the Ele- 

 phant's attention upon the horse, the other be- 

 hind gives him a drawn stroke just above the heel, 

 into what in man is called the tendon of Achilles. 

 This is the critical moment ; the horseman imme- 

 diately wheels round, again takes his companion up 

 behind him, and rides off at full speed after the rest 

 of the herd, if they have started more than one ; 

 and sometimes an expert Agagcer will kill three out 



K 4 



