HOW WILD ANIMALS ARE CAUGHT 51 
The most eminent of these castes is that of the sword- 
hunters or ‘ Agaghir,” who consider themselves the aristo- 
cracy of their profession; and not without reason, for the 
method of hunting adopted by them, and which is almost 
peculiar to Taka, needs courage, activity and skill. 
The method of the sword-hunter is peculiar, and, with 
certain kinds of game, dangerous. In all cases the object of 
the huntsman is to sever the Achilles tendon of his quarry. 
Where giraffes, antelopes, ostriches or similar harmless 
creatures are concerned, the sport calls for no greater skill 
than is required to ride over uneven and treacherous ground. 
But where rhinoceros, lions or elephants are being pursued, 
the case is different; and it then often happens that the 
positions of hunter and hunted are reversed. The ponies 
used for this purpose are of Abyssinian breed ; and, like their 
riders, they are small, strong and fiery. 
On the whole, the most dangerous game to hunt with the 
sword are elephants. The chase is usually carried out by a 
band of four or five experienced men, united by so strong 
a bond of fellow-feeling that, when the life of any one is in 
danger, each of the others will unhesitatingly risk his own 
in attempting a rescue. Menges, who is an old hand at this 
work, describes the course of events somewhat as follows: 
The streams and drinking-places are first searched for signs 
of elephant-trails. When once these are hit upon, they are 
followed up till the great beast is reached. This is no easy 
matter, for the African elephant is a great wanderer, travelling 
often for a whole day and night without a halt. More fre- 
quently, however, the herd wanders during the cooler part of 
the day through the forest and steppes, and stops to rest during 
the hotter hours of noon. At this time the herd is usually 
very compact, and almost invisible in the thick foliage; so 
that the chances of a successful assault are small. The most 
suitable moment for attack is when the herd is much scattered ; 
it is then comparatively easy to select a bull with good tusks 
and isolate him from the rest. Once isolated, his first impulse 
4° 
