A JOURNEY UNDER DIFFICULTIES. Sn 



The borele is a very fierce and dangerous animal, and is more 

 feared by the natives than even the Hon. AUhough so clumsy in 

 shape and aspect, it is really a quick and active creature, darting 

 about with lightning speed, and testing the powers of a good horse 

 to escape from its charge. Like many other wild animals it becomes 

 furiously savage when wounded, but it will sometimes attack a pas- 

 senger without the least provocation. 



On one occasion an angry rhinoceros came charging down 

 upon a v^agon and struck his horn into the bottom plank with such 

 force as to send the wagon forward for several paces, although it 

 was sticking in deep sand. He then left the wagon, and directed 

 his attack upon the fire, knocking the burning wood in every direc- 

 tion, and upsetting the pot which had been placed on the fire. He 

 then continued his wild career in spite of the attempts of a native 

 who flung a spear at him, but without the least effect, as the iron 

 point bent against the strong hide. 



THE SKIN EXTREMELY HARD AND THICK. 



The skin of this animal does not fall in folds, like that of the 

 Asiatic species, but is nevertheless extremely thick and hard, and 

 will resist an ordinary leaden bullet, unless it be fired from a short 

 distance. The skin is employed largely in the manufacture of 

 whips, or jamboks. 



The horn of the borele, from its comparatively small dimen- 

 sions, is not so valuable as that of the other species, but is still 

 employed in the manufacture of drinking-cups and sword-handles. 

 Its value is about half that of ivory. 



The food of the black rhinoceros, whether the borele of the 

 keitola, is composed of roots, which the animal ploughs out of the 

 ground with its horn, and of the young branches and shoots of the 

 wait-a-bit thorn. It is rather remarkable that the black species 

 is poisoned by one of the Euphoibiacex, which is eaten with im- 

 punity by the two white animals. 



When w^ounded, the black rhinoceros is a truly fearful oppo- 

 nent, and it is generally considered very unsafe to fire at the ani- 

 mal unless the hunter is mounted on a good horse or provided with 



