THE RHINOCEROS. 37 



unable to check them, I ordered them to be let loose, 

 and encouraged them to the attack. When the animals 

 saw this, they instantly turned aside, and proceeded 

 towards another of the hunters placed in ambush, from 

 whom they received a second fire, and then to another, 

 from whom they received a third ; my dogs, on the 

 other hand, harassed them prodigiously, which still in- 

 creased their rage ; they kicked at them in the most ter- 

 rible manner, ploughed up the plain with their horns, 

 and, digging furrows in it seven or eight inches in 

 depth, threw around them a shower of pebbles and stones. 



" During this time we all kept approaching in order 

 to surround them more closely, and to unite against 

 them our forces. The multitude of enemies by which 

 they found themselves enclosed rendered them com- 

 pletely furious. The male, however, suddenly stopped, 

 and, turning round to attack the dogs, endeavoured to 

 rip up their bellies with his horn, and while he was en- 

 gaged in pursuing them the female quitted him and made 

 her escape. I was highly pleased at her flight, which I 

 considered a fortunate circumstance ; for it is certain, 

 notwithstanding our number and our arms, we should 

 have been much embarrassed by two so formidable ad- 

 versaries. I must even confess that without the assist- 

 ance of my dogs we should not have been able to combat, 

 but with great hazard and danger, the one that remained. 

 The bloody traces which he left wherever he went an- 

 nounced that he had received more than one wound ; 

 but, reduced to despair, he only defended himself with 

 the greater obstinacy. 



'• After a fruitless attack, which lasted for some time, 

 he began to retreat, and seemed as if desirous of gaining 

 some bushes, apparently with a view of finding shelter, 

 and to prevent his being harassed but in front. I 

 guessed this stratagem, and, in order to disappoint him, 

 I lushed towards the bushes, and made a sign to the two 

 hunters who were nearest to me to advance there also. 

 He was only thirty paces from us when we took posses- 

 sion of the post ; accordingly, we all at the same time 

 presented our pieces, and, discharging our three shots, 



c3 



