SLOPES OF ELGON 
21 
split bamboos and divided inside by partitions. The outside 
is plastered with clay and eowdung, the roof similar and 
flat, and any interstices ‘ chinked ’ with moss or lichen as some 
protection against the bitter wind. A remarkable sight at 
Arap Sangalu’s main residence is the occurrence of a small 
cultivated patch of stunted tobacco, curious on account of 
the altitude and inclemency of the climate. 
The keliot poison is prepared from the branches of the 
Akokanthera tree, but great care is exercised in choosing the 
special tree from which the branches are cut. A leaf from 
each of a large number of trees is tasted, the tree having the 
most bitter flavour being selected. Afterwards the poison 
is prepared in the usual way. 
Elephants, buffaloes, and rhinoceros are hunted with the 
usual weighted spear with the detachable shaft and head. The 
hunter on approaching the game (keeping very carefully to 
leeward) strips himself of everything and creeps up to the 
nearest animal, always keeping as far from the head as possible. 
On getting to within three to four yards he rises to his feet, 
takes a couple of short steps to gain impetus, and hurls the 
spear at the buttocks or flank of the quarry. He has previously 
chosen his line of retreat, and, without a glance at the success 
of his aim, turns and flees at the top of his speed, not pausing 
till the coign of vantage — river-bed, tree, or rock — previously 
chosen is reached. He then waits, and in an hour or two 
cautiously investigates by a circuitous route. If the animal 
has run; as is usually the case, he follows at a respectful distance 
until death takes place. As he follows he frequently ascends 
a tree to view the surrounding country. In the case of 
elephant or rhinoceros they state that they get the beast in 
one day if they are lucky, but two or three days is more 
common. 
In the open country the arrival of the vultures informs 
them of the death of the elephant or rhinoceros. In these 
cases a man is usually dispatched to some prominent hill in 
the neighbourhood, whence he watches for the birds. They 
state they can see vultures at what to a European equipped 
with binoculars appears to be an incredible distance. 
Monkeys, giraffe, and buck are attacked with the usual 
