SHOOT A WHITE RHINOCEROS, 219 



self, spitting it upon a forked branch, the other end of 

 which I sharpened with my knife and stuck into the 

 ground. 



Havirig eaten my steak, I rode to my wagons, where 

 I partook of coffee, and, having mounted a fresh horse, 

 again set forth, accompanied by Carollus leading a pack- 

 horse, to bring home the head of the eland and a sup- 

 ply of the flesh : I took all my dogs along with me to 

 share in the banquet. We had not proceeded far when 

 the dogs went ahead on some scent. Spurring my 

 horse, I followed through the thorny bushes as best I 

 might, and, emerging on an open glade, beheld two 

 huge white rhinoceroses trotting along before me. The 

 dogs attacked them with fury, and a scene of intense 

 excitement ensued. The Old Gray, on observing them, 

 pricked up his ears and seemed only half inclined to 

 follow, but a sharp application of the spur reminded 

 him of his duty, and I was presently riding within ten 

 yards of the stern of the largest, and sent a bullet 

 through her back. The Old Gray shied considerably 

 and became very unmanageable, and on one occasion, 

 in consequence, the rhinoceros, finding herself hemmed 

 in by a bend in a water-course, turned round to charge : 

 I had a very narrow escape. Presently, galloping up 

 on one side, I gave her a bad wound in the shoulder, 

 soon after which she came to bay in the dry bed of a 

 river. Dismounting from my horse, I commenced load- 

 ing, but before this was accomplished she was off once 

 more. I followed her, putting on my caps as I rode, 

 and coming up alongside, I made a fine shot from the 

 saddle, firing at the gallop. The ball entered some- 

 where near her heart. On receiving this shot she reeled 

 about, while torrents of blood streamed from her mouth 

 and wounds, and presently she rolled over and expired, 



