42 
TEAVELS IN CENTEAL AFEICA. 
Hussein had a painful story to relate concerning the death of a 
comrade during their hunting expedition. A party of PethericVs 
men_, six in number_, headed by the agent_, Abderachman^ met with 
a drove of elephants. In the excitement of the chase Abderachman 
became separated from his party^ and the beast^ into which he had 
fired several times,, infuriated^ in turn attacked him ; he,, however^ 
made an adroit turning into the bush,, and the elephant rushed past 
him. Abderachman re-loaded his rifle,, and cautiously advanced. 
He perceived that the animal was pursuing a negro^ who, ignorant 
of the hunt, was taken unawares. This man, armed only with a 
lance, made for a large ant-hill, round which he ran rapidly, the 
elephant following. Abderachman fired, the ball telling ; the beast 
turned again upon his old foe. The- negro then threw his lance, 
and pierced the animaks side. The elephant, evidently enfeebled 
from loss of blood, made for an open glade, where he stood stagger- 
ing. At this moment the party of hunters approached, and advanced 
close to the animal. Abderachman called out to beware, as there 
was mischief yet in him ; but, not heeding the warning, they fired 
a volley into him. Maddened, he turned upon the men, when all 
fled ; but the ground, rent into fissures by the action of the sun upon 
it after the heavy rains, was difficult, and one man, Mahommed, 
fell several times, the elephant gaining upon him rapidly. For the 
fourth time the man rose, when his head came in contact with the 
elephant’s tusk, which scalped him partially. The beast with his 
trunk then seized the arm of Mahommed ; it was broken in a 
second, and he was free. Pie crept under the elephant, came 
out between his hind legs, and thus escaped; for Abderach- 
man planting at this moment a ball in the elephant’s heart, he fell 
dead. 
Mahommed was carefully tended by his companions. They put 
