268 HUNTING THE RHINOCEROS. 



several of these gigantic survivors of time past. One large bull fell by a 

 missile from his Winchester barrel in the vicinity of Machakos, while hunting 

 on the Kapiti Plains, The party was beating the bush for lions, when sud- 

 denly a colossal rhino was discovered dn the plains. Standing like a huge 

 rock on the "velt," his unshapely form throwing an uncanny shadow over 

 the grass, which he was devouring, he was a tempting quarry tO' our bold 

 sportsman. The monstrous outlines of the great beast stood out most strikingly 

 in the red glow of the scorching tropical sun. As though moved by a sudden 

 impulse he swung round and stood for a moment motionless, as though carved 

 in stone, its head well raised, so that the two' formidable horns almost pressed 

 against the back of its massive neck and swerved towards the Colonel. There 

 is something peculiarly awe-mspiring and menacmg about these weapons of 

 the rhinoceros. Not that they really make him a more dangerous customer 

 for the sportsman to tackle, but they certainly give that impression. The 

 thought of being" impaled, run through, by that ferocious dagger was by 

 no means pleasant to our former President. 



There was not much time for reflection, however, for an instant later the 

 big bull came for him full pelt, spitting and snorting and thundering down in 

 its unwieldly fashion, but at an incredible pace. For a moment the Colonel's 

 life hung by a thread. Nothing could save him but a well-aimed bullet. And 

 this time the bullet found its billet. It came straight from the ex-presidential 

 rifle and penetrated the neck of the on-rushing beast — a bull of unusual size 

 which, tumbling head foremost, just like a rabbit, dropped dead almost at the 

 proud hunter's feet. 



To see the rhinoceros grazing or resting in the midst of the bare "velt" or 

 to stalk them all by himself or with a native follower to carry a rifle for him 

 was as fascinating an experience as Mr. Roosevelt could desire. At the same 

 time it is one of the most dangerous forms of modern sport. An English writer 

 remarks with truth that even the bravest man cannot always control his senses 

 on such occasions^— that he is apt to get dazed and giddy. He knows that 

 the slightest unsteadiness of his hand may mean his destruction. He has to 

 advance a long distance on all fours, or else wiggle along on his stomach like 

 a serpent, making the utmost use of whatever cover offers, and keeping note 

 all the time of the direction of the wind, as the animal's scent is acute. He 

 has to keep on his guard all the time against poisonous snakes and he has to 

 turn to his hunter's instincts as to how near he must get to his game before he 

 fires. A distance of more than a hundred paces is very hazardous — above all, 

 if the hunter wants to kill outright. 



