A FATAL ELEPHANT HUNT. 
233 
legSj and charged. The ground being marshy to run was impossible^ 
so poor Hassein threw himself into the nearest bush for protection. 
Before he could hide himself^ the elephant grappled him with his 
trunk, and threw him on his back. Before his comrades could 
assist him^ the maddened animal ran his tusk through his body. 
Shrieking with rage and intent upon carrying olF his victim^ two 
more shots from the terrified witnesses of this sad catastrophe put 
an end to his life. The unfortunate hunter^ a brave and faithful 
servant,, was carried to a deserted kraal close by^ where,, notwith- 
standing the frightful wound in his abdomen,, the men declared he 
lived two entire days. The rest continued their journey to the 
Aliab. 
The immense amount of water, distributed over vast tracts, was 
in many instances too deep to wade, and the men were compelled 
to make a circuitous route through the Mundari territory. At 
every kraal they were well received and entertained ; but mindful 
ever of their desire of revenge upon the Aliab, cattle so craved for, 
and within their grasp, were respected. So on they went, often 
losing their way in the vast woods and marshes, perplexed sorely at 
times to find themselves plodding over again ground which they 
had trod before : the rains lasted frequently day and night. The 
Aliab once gained, they were not long in finding the locality of 
the vaunted chief. 
Arriving late on a wet afternoon, too late for hostile operations, 
the drenched and greatly fatigued band ensconced themselves near 
a thick wood in the precincts of the village. Without a fire to 
warm (and nothing but wild fruit to nourish them) , they silently 
passed an anxious night. The day dawned, and heavy clouds 
hung threatening overhead, as if Nature, frowning upon their en- 
terprise, still held out a slight encouragement by withholding rain ; 
