^68 



THE GREAT THICK-SKINNED ANIMALS 



him. Presently he made off. I followed, but found it hard to come up 

 with him. When I overtook him J saw the blood running- freely from 

 his wound. 



"The chase led through a large herd of blue wildebeests, zebras, 

 and springboks, which gazed at us in utter amazement. At length 

 I fired my second barrel, but my horse was fidgety, and I missed. I 

 continued riding alongside of him, expecting in my ignorance that at 

 length he would come to bay, which rhinoceroses never do; when sud-. 



A KIND OP GAME THAT NETS COULD NOT STOP 



denly he fell flat on his broadside on the ground, but recovering his 

 feet, resumed his course as if nothing had happened. Becoming at 

 last annoyed at the length of the chase, as I wished to keep my horses 

 fresh for the elephants, and being indifferent whether I got the rhino- 

 ceros or not, as I observed that his horn was completely worn down 

 with age and the violence of his disposition, I determined to bring 

 matters to a crisis; so, spurring my horse, I dashed ahead, and rode 

 right in his path. Upon this, the hideous monster instantly charged 

 me in the most resolute manner, blowing loudly through his nostrils; 



