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CHAPTER XV. 



Who were the intruders and who disturbed the rhi- 

 noceros's slumbers the animal had not the slightest 

 idea, but that there was danger in the vicinity the 

 brute apparently was conscious of. The first action 

 of the huge, unwieldy beast was to turn its head up 

 to windward to learn if the tainted breeze could tell 

 anything. This movement prevented me getting 

 the shot I desired, for I had resolved to place my 

 bullet as near to the butt of the ear as possible. 

 After waiting a minute or two I was nearly giving 

 up this intention, for the shoulder presented a most 

 enticing shot, when the huge, ponderous head came 

 slowly round, and ultimately remained motionless. 

 As the creature's gaze was directed across our front, 

 I pulled down my sleeve, a habit I have contracted 

 when particularly desirous of taking an extra careful 

 aim, raised my rifle, made due allowance for the 

 shortness of the range, and pressed the trigger. 

 The usual crushing sound announcing the striking 

 of the bullet instantly followed the report, and then 

 began a scene which beggars description, and would 

 have been ridiculous even if a less powerful animal 

 had been the principal actor in it. 



