ELEPHANT HUNTING. 551 



being extremely powerful, and a hot, dry wind prevailing all 

 the afternoon. I told Carey that we were certain of having 

 a good night's sport, and I was right, fer we undoubtedly 

 had about the finest night's sport and the most wonderful 

 that was ever enjoyed by man. 



A little before the sun went down, leaving our kraal, we 

 held to the fountain, having with us our heavy-metaled rifles, 

 karosses and two Bakalahari. We also had two small guns, 

 my double-barreled Westley Richards and Carey's single- 

 barreled gun. As we approached the fountain, a stately 

 bull giraffe stood before us ; the heat of the day had brought 

 him thither, but he feared to go in and drink ; on observing 

 us, he walked slowly away. Two jackals were next detected. 

 Guinea-fowl, partridges, two or three sorts of pigeon and 

 turtle-dove, and small birds in countless thousands, were 

 pouring in to drink from every airt, as we walked up to our 

 hiding-place and lay down. In a few minutes the sun was 

 under ; but the moon was strong and high (it being within 

 three nights of the full), and the sky was clear, with scarcely 

 a cloud. Very soon a step was heard approaching from the 

 east : it was a presuming black rhinoceros. He came up 

 within ten yards of the hiding-hole, and, observing us with 

 his sharp, prying eye, at once came slowly forward for a 

 nearer inspection. I then shouted to him ; but this he did 

 not heed in the slightest. I then sprang up and waved my 

 large kaross, shouting at the same time. This, however, 

 only seemed to amuse Borele', for he stood within four yards 

 of us, with his horn threatening our momentary destruction,* 

 nor would he wheel about until I threw a log of wood at him. 

 Black rhinoceroses are very difficult to scare when they do 

 not get the wind ; the best way to do so is to hit them with 

 a stone that is, in the event of the sportsman not wishing 

 to fire off his gun. 



Soon after Borel^ departed, four old bull elephants drew 



