l60 THROUGH GASA LAND. 



which I am now writing has more vitality than any 

 of the others. This beinor the case, it behoved me 

 to be extremely careful how I approached it. The 

 wind suited admirably from my present situation, but I 

 deemed the range — quite a hundred yards — much too 

 far for my two-grooved rifle to produce instantaneous 

 death, so looked about to see how I could better my 

 position. The vley was about sixty yards wide, and 

 evidently deep, but from where I lay, there was not 

 a bush or stone to hide behind, right up to the 

 margin of the water. 



To my left, however, there was a tall ant-hill, 

 a straggling structure with several peaks, which, if 

 gained, would reduce the range one third. This 

 flank movement was easy of accomplishment, for 

 I had but to withdraw behind the knoll, compute 

 the correct distance, and keep it between me and 

 the game till I reached it. The plan of campaign 

 being decided upon, it was rapidly executed, all 

 except Sunday being left in the original position, 

 with imperative instructions to remain as silent as 

 the proverbial mouse. When I had selected the 

 best situation for making correct shooting, I aimed 

 a few inches above the waterline on the game's 

 flanks, and fired about a foot behind the. shoulder. 

 The response to my shot was that the rhinoceros 

 came down upon her knees — a frequent occurrence 

 with these animals, even when the wound is not 

 deadly — but soon after recovering herself, when 



