CHAPTER XXIX 
MAHOMETAN FAITH AND ELEPHANT MEAT 
The Mahometan, as is well known, never 
partakes of the flesh of an animal that has not been 
killed by cutting its throat with the usual formalities 
prescribed by the religion, and, of course, the ele¬ 
phant, like the pig, is one of the animals that 
is taboo among the followers of the Prophet. 
Some time ago (it was in October, 1907), I 
witnessed a most amusing spectacle in which 
temptation and faith engaged in a bitter struggle for 
mastery, a spectacle which might have served to 
illustrate an old saying inverted—* the flesh is strong 
but the spirit is weak.’ At the time of which I 
speak, I had among my men several who were pure 
and unadulterated heathens—and splendid fellows 
to boot! On one occasion, the day after I had shot 
some elephants, these happy pagans were making a 
good meal on the fat, juicy flesh done to a turn over 
a clear, wood fire, when several natives of the 
Wangindo tribe, Mahometans by faith, came 
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