The rogue elephant

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

25450

Title

The rogue elephant

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

In the heart of Africa, explorers Louis Schoverling, Dr. von Hofe, and two young companions embark on a perilous hunt for a rogue elephant. Following the tragic death of their colleague Mowbray, the team races against time and starvation to reach a desolate lake where a massive, solitary bull has terrorized the land. Blending scientific expedition with high-stakes adventure, this tale of courage and survival captures the raw dangers of the wild frontier.

Summary up to 500 words

In Elliott Whitney's *The Rogue Elephant*, a tale of the Boys' Big Game Series, a daring expedition is launched from the New York Explorers' Club to secure rare elephant specimens for museums. The team is led by the renowned taxidermist Dr. Gross von Hofe and the adventurous American explorer Louis Schoverling, known as 'the General.' They recruit Charlie Collins, a capable young electrician from Calgary, and Jack Sawtooth, a resilient half-breed scout from the Canadian wilderness. Their mission takes a tragic turn upon receiving the final, desperate letters of their friend, Mowbray, who perished in the field. Mowbray's notes reveal the existence of a massive, rogue tusker bull terrorizing the region near the mysterious Lake Quilqua, an area devastated by slave raids and plague. Refusing to leave the beast to its fate, the expedition sets out with only a small party, leaving behind supplies and the rest of their group. The journey is grueling, traversing scorching deserts, dry water-courses, and hostile territories. The explorers face extreme heat, dust, and the constant threat of starvation, encountering pythons, rhinos, and zebras along the way. Upon reaching Lake Quilqua, they discover the scene Mowbray described: a ruined stronghold filled with skeletons and the rogue elephant. The ensuing hunt is fierce and terrifying; the beast charges the camp, smashing tents and guns, and nearly killing the men. In a desperate battle, Charlie Collins and Jack Sawtooth engage the giant, firing multiple shots until the rogue falls. The team spends days skinning the massive animal and preparing the ivory and hide for transport. The return journey is equally arduous. Carrying the heavy load of ivory and the elephant's skin, they navigate the treacherous desert terrain with the help of their Masai guides and strategic use of water caches. They eventually reach a British station, hailed as heroes for their discovery of a new country and their successful hunt. The book concludes with the team returning to New York, where the mounted rogue elephant is displayed in a museum. The plaque credits the shot to Charlie Collins and Jack Sawtooth, mounted by Gross von Hofe, standing as a testament to their bravery and the enduring spirit of exploration.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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2026-07-04 12:22 UTC

Categories

• Adventure
• Fiction