604 
THE AFRICAN ELEPHANT 
immunity from a life of captivity seems to be the result of the fears or laziness of the natives. 
The only object in possessing the African Elephant is to procure its valuable tusks and teeth, 
and to afford nourishment to the native tribes. Before the introduction of fire-arms among 
the Kaffir tribes, the Elephant was hunted by men armed with assagais, or spears, and after 
being unrelentingly pursued for several successive days, was at last forced to succumb under 
the multitudes of missiles which penetrated its body. How, however, the musket-ball, how- 
ever rude may be the weapon, does great service to the black hunter, and the Elephant is slain 
in far less time and in greater numbers than under the old system. 
When wounded, the African Elephant is a most formidable animal, charging impetuously 
in the direction of the foe, and crashing through the heavy forest as if the trees were but 
stubble. In such a case, the best resource of the hunter is in his dogs, which bay round the 
infuriated animal, and soon distract his attention. The bewilderment which the Elephant 
feels at the attacks of so small an animal as a dog is quite extraordinary. He does not seem 
to know what he is doing, and at one time will try to kneel on his irritating foes, will even 
push down a tree in hopes of crushing them under its branches. This species is not so readily 
killed by a single ball as is its Asiatic relative, but instances are not wanting where an African 
Elephant has been slain by a single ball, which entered by the nostrils, and penetrated to the 
brain. In chasing this animal, the white hunter always prefers a gun with a very wide bore, 
as the execution which is done depends more upon the weight of the missile than on the 
accuracy with which it is sent. One great value of the heavy ball, of two or even three ounces 
in weight, is, that it will break the leg of the animal, and so render him at once helpless. The 
bone does not always give way at once when struck by so heavy a ball, but is sure to snap 
after the animal has made a few paces. 
The most deadly gun for Elephant shooting seems to be a breech-loader, either double 
or single, and carrying a ball weighing not less than two ounces. All the apparatus of ramrod 
and powder-flask is thus rendered needless, and each charge being separately made up into a 
cartridge, is inserted into the breech, and is ready for use without the least delay. Yery 
accurate shooting is of no great consequence in the pursuit of this giant game, as the hunter 
can always approach within a few yards of the animal, and deliver his fire from his horse’s 
back, sheering off if the creature endeavors to charge. The bullets employed in Elephant 
shooting are always hardened with a mixture of one-eighth of tin or solder, and a steel-pointed 
bullet would probably be the most deadly missile that ever was employed for the purpose. 
The shell-bullets might also be used with terrible effect. 
The Kaffirs are persevering Elephant-hunters, and are wonderfully expert in tracking any 
individual by the “ spoor,” or track, which is made by his footsteps. The foot of a male is 
easily to be distinguished by the roundness of its form, while that of the female is more oval, 
and the height of the animal is also ascertained by measurement of the foot-marks, twice the 
circumference of the foot being equal to the height at the shoulder. The mode by which the 
natives follow a single Elephant through all the multiplied tracks of his companions is very 
curious. The sole of each Elephant’s foot is marked with certain wrinkles, which are never 
precisely alike in any two individuals, and may be compared to the minute depressions which 
are found on the human thumb, and which in more primitive times were employed as an expe- 
ditious mode of affixing a sign-manual, by being rubbed with ink and impressed upon the 
document. The black hunter, therefore, taking a piece of soft clay or earth, works it between 
his hands into a firm and smooth mass, resembling the footmark in shape, and with the point 
of a thorn traces upon it a chart of the lines which are found on the Elephant’s foot. If he 
should become bewildered amid the multiplicity of footmarks, he has only to refer to his clay 
chart, and is guided against the possibility of mistaking one individual for another. 
The death of a large Elephant is great matter of congratulation among the natives, who 
rejoice at the abundant supply of food which will fall to their share. Almost every portion of 
the animal is used by the Kaffirs, whose strong jaws are not to be daunted by the toughest 
meat, and whose accommodating palates are satisfied with various portions which would be 
rejected by any civilized being. Indeed, it seems to be a general rule among savages, that 
every part of an animal which is most repulsive to civilized tastes, is considered by the savage 
