412 KEFLECTIONS SET OFF FOR THE LAKE. 



coup de grace^ when, to my horror, she once more rose on her 

 legs. Taking a hurried aim, I pulled the trigger, and instant- 

 ly retreated, with the beast in full pursuit. The race, how- 

 ever, was a short one, for, just as I threw myself into a bush 

 for safety, she fell dead at my feet, so near me, indeed, that I 

 could have touched her with the muzzle of my rifle ! Anoth- 

 er moment, and I should probably have been impaled on her 

 murderous horn, which, though short, was sharp as a razor 5' 

 • When reflecting on the wonderful and providential es- 

 capes I recently experienced, I could not help thinking that 

 I had been spared for some good purpose, and my heart was 

 lifted in humble gratitude to the Almighty, who had thus 

 extended over me His protecting hand. 



The second day after the scenes described my bruises be- 

 gan to show themselves, and on the third day they were 

 fully developed, giving my body a black and yellow hue~. 

 So far as I was aware, none of my bones were broken ; but 

 burning and agonizing pains in the region of the chest were 

 clearly symptomatic of severe internal injury. Indeed, at 

 first, serious apprehensions were entertained for my life. 

 After great suffering, however, I recovered ; and, as my shoot- 

 ing mania had by this time somewhat cooled down, my whole 

 thoughts were bent on seeing the Ngami. Though my frame 

 was quite unequal to bear fatigue, my spirit would not brook 

 longer delay. 



With the assistance of my men, I therefore mounted my 

 steed on the 23d of July, and was off for the Lake, leaving 

 my hunting spoils and other effects under the care of the 

 Bushman-chief at Kobis. 



* The black rhinoceros is, under all circumstances, as already men- 

 tioned, a morose and sulky beast. The one in question was unusual- 

 ly savage, as she had probably a young sucking calf. We did not see 

 the latter, it is true, but assumed such to be the case from the beast's 

 teats being full of milk. It is most likely that her offspring was of too 

 tender an age to accompany her, and that, as not unfrequently hap- 

 pens, she concealed it among the bushes when about to quench her 

 thirst at the pool. 



