282 IN THE GRIP OF THE NYIKA chap. 



a herd of elephants fighting for possession of the 

 waterhole, as the shrill and weird cries which re- 

 sounded from the rocks gave me the impression 

 that these animals were trumpeting there. 



Just as we got over the rocky ridge, a Hon 

 bounded out of the path almost at our feet, but 

 he was evidently not hungry, so did not attempt to 

 attack us, and was soon out of sight among the 

 bushes. The askari got rather a fright and cried 

 out '' Rndi, Bwana, riidi ! Hapa mbaya sana'' 

 (" Return, master, return ! This is a very bad 

 place "). 



I had not the least intention of going back, 

 however, as I was determined to see what was 

 making the uproar which still continued at the 

 waterhole. By this time it sounded as if there 

 could not be less than a score of elephants trum- 

 peting there in concert. We stalked on carefully 

 and cautiously among the rocks with the wind in our 

 favour, until at last we were able to look over the 

 edge of a crag down into the ravine at our feet. 

 Then the weirdest sight that I could ever wish to see 

 suddenly unfolded itself beneath my astonished gaze. 

 No fewer than sixteen rhinos were gathered together 

 close by, all roaring at each other and struggling 

 and fighting in their efforts to get at the waterhole. 

 The moon was shedding a brilliant lustre all round, 

 and everything was peaceful except at this one spot 



