A Liberian Journey

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Fri Oct 1^st Well I have done my first elephant hunting today. And altho we didn’t get one- but I am ahead of my story. At 500 we arose and breakfasted with somewhat of a joyous feeling in our hearts. Then we took down our guns strapped ammunition belts and a canteen on our gun boys and were off. Then was Mr. Taylor and his gun bearer, Mr. Yausen and his, Hal and I and our two boys and an extra one to carry a 5^th gun, Mr. Taylors as he was using Hal’s heavy double. We left the town by a trail rather than road thru the woods, which slowly dwindled away to a vestige of a path as we got further from town. On the way Hal and I were carried across the swamps to keep our feet dry as long as possible. Just after one of these swamps we ran across some fresh bush pig tracks but we passed them by. At 700 we came to a  rice farm where we picked up the hunter who was to guide us on our way and were really off. We passed thru a couple of farms and at last plunged into the big bush. It was very pleasant wandering over leaf covered trails three tall trees with vines hanging from their lofty branches or twining around big trunks. And in addition there was the suppressed enthusiasm connected with elephants. Mr. Yausen and the hunter led the way while Mr. Taylor, Hal and I brought up the rear each followed by his gun boy. We drifted across ridges where the going was comparatively open, skirted swamps, crossed, miniature ravines. And after about an hour came across our firs track – about 3 days old but showing the toe marks. A little farther on we struck a yesterday track which to my untutored eyes looked very fresh indeed. And shortly after we came to where a herd – maybe 8 or 9 had swept across our trail feeding – breaking off small shoots and tearing some of the vines down. And all this yesterday. If only we had known and come yesterday – but why if. As the wind was wrong we decided to make a big circuit and cut them off to see if we could get up on them. So we set off again.

Shortly after that we ran into a big herd of red colobus monkeys in some very tall trees making tremendous leaps from on limb to the tip of the next where they would cling for a moment before scampering up to a more secure position. And occasionally one would drop vertically 15 or 20 ft to a branch below. Later we heard a pounding fairly near which we were told was a baboon. They did not know how he made the  noise altho some think they beat the body while others claim they beat on roots or logs. It was a slowly repeated hollow sound. As we were going up a ravine we ran into another herd of monkey which sported around above us.

Then we came upon our herd of elephants but they were travelling now and quite rapidly due for as shown by the slapping of their feet. We followed them for a while but decided that at the rate they were travelling we could not catch them that way. So we cut off and headed for a spot where the hunter expected them to swing back. On the way we passed a spot where elephant had broken down small trees – 6” across about 6 or 8 ft above the ground. It looked as if a hurricane had swept the place. Then we ran across another herd of elephant which we followed until we saw that they were headed for a certain feeding ground and so cut off and stopped for lunch by a little fresh stream with a sandy bottom. On our travels we had found what had been an old farm but which was now thick jungle. And covering under or peering up thru the trees and vines were a dozen lime trees with ripe fruit. We all stuffed our pockets with limes and at lunch Hal and I mixed sugarless limeade which was very refreshing.

After our meal we set out again to our the feeding grounds and picked up the tracks – still yesterday but the two herds had joined. Then we found that they had not stopped there and we set out on their trail again. Then we made a mistake, for instead of following them. We went on to another feeding ground thru rather thick going to find that they were not there. And it took so long to cut our way around the place that we decided to go back to Tappi camp. And that night the elephants crossed the road showing that had we trailed them we would have been up with them in an hour. Oh well – hunters luck. I have admitted by this information that I am writing several days after the event and alas tis true.

After we got back to camp Hal and I went for a swim. And as luck would have it I stepped on a log which rolled as Hal leaned on it and my big toe hit on a spike which cleaned the skin off the bottom making a somewhat tender affair to walk on. When we got back we were dashed some rice and 2 eggs. That evening after supper we and a lady rush out of her hut with a fire brand and rim her door step with coals. A minute later we saw why – Driver ants foraging and headed directly for our dwelling. We hastily built palm torches and sent the boys out for water and bravely set to the attack. <Drawing of “Course of Ants”> Fortunately we were in time and were able to check the advance so that they skirted our hut and passed back whence they came. I built a little camp fire to see better and we sat by it till bed time. Well we have seen fairly fresh elephant tracks at least and have had a very pleasant day in the woods hunting. 

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