216 LARGE GAME. CHAP. iv. 



who would consider such shooting sufficient reward for 

 the long and dangerous journey may depend upon finding 

 it. At least they could have done so in 1872, and if the 

 king strictly adheres to his present policy of preservation, 

 there is little doubt that the shooting will not deteriorate 

 much for several years to come. 



The immense size and great value of this game renders 

 its pursuit most exciting, though it is by no means so 

 dangerous as most writers on African shooting would lead 

 us to believe. I have before spoken of the different shades 

 of danger encountered from the larger varieties of South 

 African animals. At the head of the list stands the 

 upetyane (Rhin. bicornis), because as a general rule it 

 charges without provocation ; the lion may be placed next, 

 as it also occasionally does so, and escape from its clutches 

 is rare ; after these come the buffalo, on account of the 

 sudden and vicious nature of its charge, which is difficult 

 to evade, and therefore often has serious results; and 

 lastly I would place the elephant, for although a rogue 

 is more to be dreaded than a solitary buffalo bull, though 

 they are not so dangerous in Africa as in India, it is, 

 generally speaking, far easier to escape a common specimen 

 of the former than of the latter. An elephant will aban- 

 don pursuit even when it can see you, which an enraged 

 buffalo would never do ; and while nothing can be more 

 common than to be chased in the bare open by them, it is 

 exceedingly rare for any one to be caught. 



There are two great points to be borne in mind so long 

 as you are in jungle : firstly, always to run down wind ; 

 and secondly, to make continual short tacks while doing 

 so. If you can get below the wind, and remain quiet, you 



