EXTRAORDINARY FEAT. 
385 
in the bush whilst they rushed past us. The boldest 
hunter is killed at last. When pursued by a rhino¬ 
ceros I have sprung down a high bank, not 
knowing its depth, or whether I might not fall on a 
rock or stump. No, sir, it is a life of no common 
hardship and danger. I have been obliged to eat 
the 46 veldtschoon” (untanned leather shoes) from 
my feet.’ 55 
The daring of some of these elephant-hunters 
almost exceeds credence. One of the most re¬ 
markable instances on record is that given to us by 
Thompson, on the authority of a relative of the 
hero of the story, a man named Mari6, a famous 
Nimrod, who, in kis day, had slain upwards of forty 
of those animals. At a convivial meeting of friends 
and neighbours to celebrate New Year’s day, 
when the company were heated with liquor, and 
each one had boastingly related deeds of hardihood 
he himself had performed, Marie laid a wager that 
he would go into the forest and pluck three hairs 
from out of the tail of a living elephant! 
This extraordinary feat he actually performed, 
and returned safely with the trophy to his comrades. 
But not satisfied with this specimen of his audacity, 
he laid another bet that he would return and shoot 
the same animal on the instant. He went accord¬ 
ingly with his mighty 44 Roer,” but never came 
back again. He had approached too incautiously, 
and his first shot not proving effective, the enraged 
creature rushed upon him before he could reload 
or make his escape, and having thrust its tre- 
