THE MIGHTY KING.—Par. [458].
460. Colonel W., whose artistic sketch shows that he was an undeniable hand at the pencil, whatever he might be with the rifle, was ambitious of being able to say he had killed an elephant. He, therefore, begged leave to give the wounded animal its coup de grace. It was found wallowing in an adjacent buffalo hole. Colonel W. got within twelve yards of it, but bespattered by the mud the disabled beast threw over him—the novel and only defence it could make—his aim was so uncertain, that, after all, K——g had to put the sufferer out of its misery.
461. Colonel W.’s ambition recalls to my mind a singular advertisement, though I cannot think that even he would have answered it had he been in London at the time. It appeared in the papers many years ago, but was too ludicrous not to be still in the recollection of many. A perfumer in Bishopsgate Street Without, gave notice in conspicuous characters “to SPORTSMEN,” that a splendid Bear was to be killed on his premises, at which they might have a shot by paying,—I now forget what exact sum.
ASIATIC AND AFRICAN ELEPHANTS.
462. I am told that an examination of the skulls of the Asiatic and African elephants would show a marked difference between the two, and explain why the latter animal cannot be instantaneously killed. In the Asiatic elephant there is a spot about the size of a man’s hand between and somewhat above the eyes, where a bullet can easily penetrate to the brain when the head is carried low; whereas the brain, it is said, of the African elephant is as effectually guarded on the forehead as elsewhere. This might be inferred from a perusal of Gordon Cumming’s exciting book. Murray would not print many of the startling anecdotes related in the manuscript, fearing they might throw discredit upon the work. But it is, I think, to be regretted that he did not trust more to the discernment of the public; and to the strong internal evidence of truthfulness afforded in the descriptions given of the habits of the various beasts which the author had singular opportunities of observing.
463. The mention of Gordon Cumming’s name, which is naturally associated with feats of cool daring, leads one to speak of an old fellow-sportsman of his at the Cape of Good Hope. Doubtless there are men of whom it may be almost averred that they know not the sensation of fear. Of this number was Gordon Cumming’s friend Captain G. B. M——e of the 45th. Alas! we must say “was,” for that brave heart has ceased to beat.
COOL AS A CUCUMBER.
“Made the Caffre boy behind him pull the deadly trigger.”—Par. [464].
464. Whilst quartered with his regiment at the Cape, M——e took constant opportunities of encountering single-handed the real lords of the forest in their own wild domain; and numerous are the stories told by his brother officers of his hair-breadth escapes. Gordon Gumming and he often shot together; and I have heard it said that at a time when his left arm was so much injured as to be perfectly useless, he went close up to a lion, which was standing over Cumming’s prostrate body, and with his right hand aiming at the animal’s heart made the Caffre boy behind him pull the deadly trigger. And does not the little fellow’s heroic conduct, who placed such implicit confidence in his master’s address and nerve, claim much of our admiration!