The sharp lances were repeatedly driven into his side, and several of the boldest hunters climbing up the steep ascent of his back, an axe was seen to fall swiftly and repeatedly upon his spine, on the nape of his tough neck.
The giant form suddenly sank; the spine was divided, and the avenging blow was dealt by the husband of his late victim.

The destroyer was no more.

The victory was gained without the loss of a man.' The natives said that this elephant was mad; if so it may account in some measure for the unheard-of occurrence of an elephant devouring flesh.

Both elephants and buffaloes attack man from malice alone, without the slightest idea of making a meal of him.

This portion of the headman's story I cannot possibly believe, although he swears to it.
The elephant may, perhaps, have cracked her head and torn his victim to pieces in the manner described, but the actual 'eating' is incredible..