CHAPTER LII. 



THE BUPHAGA AFRICANA. 



THE well-mounted hunters had but a comparatively short distance to ride, 

 when they dashed into the tall grass, amid which grew a great deal of the 

 native rice, of which the hippopotamus, as well as the rhinoceros, is so fond. 

 The ponies, of necessity, slackened their pace, for, knowing how quick the big 

 game is to detect danger, the time had come for the exercise of extreme caution. 



Conscious that the proceedings had now reached a stage in which the Hottentot 

 was the most competent director, Jack Harvey fell to the rear with the boys, all 

 preserving silence, and the three keeping sharp watch of their native leader. 



All at once, Diedrick raised his hand as a signal for the others to halt. Although 

 they saw nothing, there could be no doubt that he had detected something im- 

 portant. 



Just in front, the grass, which was five or six feet in height, became more dense 

 and abundant. The party could see but a short distance, and, of course, it was 

 beyond the power of the native to discern anything that was not manifest to his 

 friends. 



Several minutes passed, during which all were silent and listening. Diedrick 

 then turned and explained that, while he saw nothing, he was of the belief that 

 more than one of the animals was close to them. A gentle wind was blowing from 

 that point, which was fortunate for the hunters, since, were the direction different, 

 the sagacious beast would be quick to scent his danger. 



Diedrick proposed that he and one of the boys should make a circuit, which 

 would take them around to a point a half mile away. Then, if any rhinoceros was 

 between the parties, he would discover his danger and make off toward those in 

 waiting, who, if they used ordinary discretion, would gain a chance of bringing 

 down some of the gigantic game. 



This understanding was scarcely reached when a small bird suddenly rose from 

 the grass at a distance of less than a hundred yards, and, darting straight up in the 

 air, gave utterance to a sharp peculiar note, that could be heard a long way off. 



The Hottentot muttered impatiently in his own language as he faced about to 

 explain the cause of his anger. 



The bird, which had just risen, was the buphaga a/rffana, or rhinoceros bird, 

 ihe most devoted and faithful friend of the rhinoceros. It constantly attends the 

 beast, feeding on the insects which infest its muddy hide. While thus employed, it 

 is on the lookout for enemies of the animal. The instant it detects the approach of 

 the hunter, it flies above the beast, uttering the sharp cries which he understands 

 at once. 



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