RHINOCEROS HUNT. 87 



trot, and finally to a Avalk. By this time, however, they 

 were so far away that, but for the certain knowledge of their 

 identity, we might readily have taken them for stocks or 

 stones. The indistinctness of objects, moreover, even at a 

 moderate distance, was increased by the effects of a most 

 perplexing mirage. 



While discussing the propriety of following up the rhi- 

 noceroses, we saw them make for an isolated tree, no doubt 

 with the intention of sheltering themselves from the scorch- 

 ing rays of the sun. This decided us on continuing the 

 chase ; and, although suffering greatly from thirst (our small 

 supply of water having been long exhausted), the hope of 

 ultimate success gave us strength to proceed. 



Approaching under cover of some stunted bushes, and 

 when almost certain of closing with the beasts, and putting 

 an end to one or both, I was startled by the report of guns 

 close behind me, and on turning round I found that Hans 

 and our man had fired. I never felt more vexed in my life, 

 for we were still a good hundred yards from the animals, and 

 it had been previously agreed that — unless the beasts knev/ 

 of our presence — we were not to fire until within a very 

 short distance of them. As, however, the evil could not be 

 remedied, I lost no time in firing ; but the brutes being fully 

 one hundred and fifty paces from me, I had small hope of in- 

 flicting serious injury. That I hit the mother, however, was 

 very certain, for, at the instant of discharging my gun, she 

 bounded like a cat into the air ; and Hans, who looked upon 

 this as a sure sign of her being mortally wounded, exclaim- 

 ed, "Aha, old girl, you are safe!" Annoyed as I was, I 

 could not help smiling, and ironically replied, " To be sure, 

 she is safe enough." And so it proved, for we never saw her 

 or her calf again. 



I felt disappointed at our failure and the chance of a 

 feast, and was moreover sorry for the poor rhinoceros ; for, 

 though she was lost to us, I felt certain it was only to die a 



