VIII AN EVENTFUL XMAS DAY 99 



The moment we had left the safari behind I 

 turned sharply off once more, while the rhino went 

 thundering on straio^ht ahead and were soon lost to 

 sight in the bush. 



Much the same thing happened a second time, 

 and again a third time, and we began to feel quite at 

 home in meeting these attacks and out-manceuvring 

 the rhino. The pagazis, however, never felt re- 

 assured, as they are in mortal terror of a rhino — so 

 much so that the moment they see one approaching 

 they will drop their burdens anywhere and fly for 

 safety to the nearest tree, which I readily admit is 

 quite the best thing for them to do. 



We were more inclined to be of the porter's 

 opinion after the fourth and last charge, which very 

 nearly had a disastrous ending. At about half past 

 four in the afternoon I was riding a little ahead of 

 my friends, and seeing a large leafy tree a short 

 distance to the left of the track, I called out and 

 suggested that we should have tea under it. My 

 proposal was eagerly accepted, and we turned off 

 to reach its cool shade. I had not gone a dozen 

 yards, when, as I was passing through some thick 

 bush, I was startled by hearing a violent snort 

 come from the midst of it, and next instant I 

 saw the vicious head of a huge rhino dashing at 

 me at full speed. Aladdin needed neither whip 

 nor spur to get out of the way — in fact he gave 

 such a grreat bound that he almost unseated me, 



II 2 



