HUNTING THE RHINOCEROS. 271 



give him an opportunity to acquire a white rhinoceros for the National 

 Museum. This variety is very rare and the former President was very 

 anxious to secure a specimen before they are totally extinct. This district 

 is dotted with small and large farms where many Boer and German farmers 

 have settled down peacefully side by side of the English residents. The 

 Colonel visited several of the planters and was hospitably entertained in their 

 homes. He found that most of these settlers had erected comfortable houses 

 of stone or wood covered with solid thatch roofs, which offered an excellent 

 protection against the scorching rays of the equatorial sun. He often par- 

 took of their frugal meals, and informed himself about their condition and 

 occupations. Not a few of them he found engaged in raising the rubber 

 tree, which thrives exceedingly well in this hot climate. One of our illus- 

 trations shows one of these rubber plantations established by a German couple 

 -with their native help. This country is slowly being colonized by French, 

 Portuguese, Belgians, Germans, Boers and English and almost every nation- 

 ality on the earth, and it is only a question of time when it will be a white 

 man's country, the natives existing only in the backwoods and on govern- 

 ment reservations, as our American Indians. 



The rhinoceros is favorite game both in India and Africa. It has a 

 ferocious disposition and is hard to kill. The easiest and least dangerous 

 method is for the hunter to conceal himself and shoot it when it comes 

 to drink at the pool. The true sportsman prefers to hunt it on horseback 

 with dogs. 



As the eyes of the rhinoceros are very small, it seldom turns its head 

 and therefore sees nothing but what is before it. It is to this that it owes 

 its death, and never escapes if there be so much plain as to enable the 

 horses of the hunters to get before it. Its pride and fury then makes it 

 lay aside all thoughts of escaping, except by victory over its enemy. For 

 a moment it stands at bay; then at a start runs straight forward at the 

 horse which is nearest. The rider easily avoids the attack by turning 

 short to one side. This is the fatal instant; a naked man who is mounted 

 behind the principal horseman, drops off the horse, and, unseen by the 

 rhinoceros, gives it, with a sword, a stroke across the tendon of the 

 heel, which renders it incapable either of flight or resistance. 



Several travelers have mentioned that there are certain birds which con- 

 stantly attend the rhinoceros, and give him warning of approaching danger. 

 Their accounts were either received with silent contempt, or treated with 



