In Wildest Africa -^ 



of the wind. He has to keep on his guard all the time 

 against poisonous snakes. And he has to trust to his 

 hunter's instinct as to how near he must get to his quarry 

 before he fires. I consider that a distance of more than 

 a hundred paces is very hazardous — above all, if you want 

 to kill outright. I am thinking, of course, of the sportsman 

 who is hunting quite alone. 



To-day I am to have an unlooked-for experience. 

 A number of eland have attracted my attention. I follow 

 them through the long grass, just as I did that time in 

 1896 when the flock of pearl-hens buzzed over me and 

 I started the two rhinoceroses which nearly " did for " me.^ 

 These antelopes claim my undivided attention. The 

 country is undulating in its formation, and my men are 

 all out of sight. I am quite alone, rifle in hand. The 

 animals make off to the left and in amidst the high grass. 

 I stand still and watch them. It would be too far to have 

 a shot at the leader of the herd, so I merely follow in their 

 tracks, crouching down. Now I have to get across 

 a crevice. But as I am negotiating it and penetrating 

 the higher grass on the opposite slope, suddenly, fifty 

 paces in front of me, I perceive a huge dark object 

 in among the reeds — a rhinoceros. 



It has not become aware of me yet, nor of the peril 

 awaiting it. It sits up, turned right in my direction. 

 Now there is no going either forwards or backwards for 

 me. The grass encumbers my legs — the old growth 

 (spared by the great fires that sometimes ravage the whole 

 velt between two rainy seasons) mingling with the new 

 ^ See With Flashlight and Rifle. 

 464 



