HUNTING THE WHITE RHINOCEROS. 



257 



WHITE RHINOCEROS. 



CHAPTER XLVI. 



HUNTING THE WHITE RHINOCEROS, LION, BUFFALO AND 

 GIRAFFE. 



PON the 9th, says Mr. Gumming, it 

 rained unceasingly throughout the 

 day, converting the rich soil on 

 which we were encamped into one 

 mass of soft, sticky clay. In the forenoon, 



fearing the rain would continue so as to ren- 

 der the vley (through which we must pass to 

 gain the firmer ground) impassable, I ordered 

 my men to prepare to march, and leave the 

 tent with its contents standing, the point which I wished to gain 

 being distant only about five hundred yards. When the oxen 

 were inspanned, however, and we attempted to move, we found 

 my tackle, which was old, so rotten from the effects of the rain, 

 that something gave way at every strain. Owing to thifc and to 

 17 



