420 NEW FIELDS TO CONQUER, 



further rniscliief, lie started off at a canter from t'ne scene of 

 action. 



" My after-rider having by this time come i:p, I rushed upon 

 him, and almost pulling him off his horse, leapt into the saddle ; 

 and without a hat, and my face streaming with blood, was quickly 

 in pursuit of the retreating beast, which I soon had the satisfac- 

 ■ion to see stretched lifeless at my feet." 



F. C. Selous, friend and guide to Colonel Roosevelt, gives 

 the following description of tlie habits of the white rhinoceros from 

 extensive personal observation : 



" The white rhinoceros is a huge, ungainl}' -looking beast, 

 with a disproportionately large head, a large male standing 

 6 feet 6 inches at the shoulder. Like elephants and buffaloes, 

 they lie asleep during the heat of the day, and feed during the 

 night and in the cool hours of early morning and evening. 

 Their sight is very bad ; but they are quick of hearing, and 

 their scent is very keen. 



THE WHITE RHINOCEROS AN EASY PREY TO HORSEMAN. 



" When disturbed they go off at a swift trot, which soon 

 leaves all pursuit for a man on foot far behind, but if chased 

 by a horseman they break into a gallop, which they can keep 

 up for some distance. However, although they run very swiftly, 

 when their size and heavy build is considered, they are no match 

 for an average good horse. 



" They are, as a rule, very easy to shoot on horseback, as, 

 if one gallops a little in front of and on one side of them, they 

 will hold their course, and come sailing past, offering a magni- 

 ficent broadside shot, while under similar circumstances a pre- 

 hensile-lipped rhinoceros will usually swerve away in such a 

 manner as only to present his hind-quarters for a shot. When 

 either walking or running, the square-lipped rhinoceros holds 

 its head very low, its nose nearly touching the ground. 



"When a small calf accompanies its mother, it always runs 

 in front and she appears to guide it by holding the point of her 

 horn upon the little animal's rump, and it is perfectly wonder- 



