FUN WITH AN ELEPHANT.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 492, 17 August 1912, Page 7

FUN WITH AN ELEPHANT.

. » An English sportsman once fairly outwitted-an old African elephant. Taller, lighter, nimbler than the Asiatic variety, and like most elephants, when roused he proved himself capable- of considerable gymnastic ability.' The Britisher had wounded his beast. Unfortunately the wound was slight, and the animal, greatly infuriated, turned and charged tin hunter. The pachyderm presented a terrifying sight. With its enormous ears spread out like sails and emitting shrill notes of rage, it came tearing over the ground like a rimaway locomotive. The hunter tre-j a second shot, but missed. His nerve was shaken, and, thro v in;down his rifle he sought safety in flight. • Near at hand was a stoo;> hill, and towards this the British uturned, for being but slightly acquainted with the powers of elephants, he thought h!s pursuer might be baffled by iho steepness of the ascent. It was r. terrible disappointment to find that the elephant could climb a hill as quickly as he could, good runner though he,was. He would have been speedily overtaken if he had not thought of an expedient. He knew elephants never run or even , walk down a steep incline, but always crouch, gather their feet together, lean well • back, and slide down. Just as the furious beast got within a few yards of him, therefore, the hunter suddenly * doubled and ran down the hill again.

Quick as a flash the elephant tco, turned., gathering itself .together, and trumpeting with rage, slid down after the man. The Britisher had just time to spring out of the way as the huge beast came tobogganing after him, smashing trees and shrubs and everything before it like an avalanche. Onco more the hunter dashed to the top of the hill, while the 3lep*hant unable to stop itself, went careering down to the very foot, where, apparently understanding that it had been outwitted, and feeling sore and disappointed, it rose to its full height 'and walked wearily back to its native 'woods. "Harper's Weekly."