HUNTING IN THE SOTIK 



213 



head up and tail erect. But he lacked heart after all. I 

 fired into his throat, and instead of charging, he whipped 

 round and was off at a gallop, immediately disappearing 

 over a slight rise. We ran back to our horses, mounted, 

 and galloped after him. He had a long start, and, though 

 evidently feeling his wound, was going strong; and it was 

 some time before we overtook him. I tried to gallop 

 alongside, but he kept 

 swerving ; so jumping 

 off (fortunately, I was 

 riding Tranquillity) I 

 emptied the magazine 

 at his quarters and 

 flank. Rapid galloping 

 does not tend to pro- 

 mote accuracy of aim; 

 the rhino went on; and, 

 remounting, I followed, 

 overtook him, and re- 

 peated the perform- 

 ance. This time he 

 wheeled and faced 

 round, evidently with 

 the intention of charg- 

 ing, but a bullet straight 

 into his chest took all 

 the fight out of him, and 



he continued his flight. But his race was evidently run, 

 and when I next overtook him I brought him down. I 

 had put nine bullets into him; and though they had done 

 their work well, and I was pleased to have killed the huge 

 brute with the little sharp-pointed bullets of the Springfield, 

 I was confirmed in my judgment that for me personally the 

 big Holland rifle was the best weapon for heavy game, 

 although I did not care as much for it against lighter- 

 bodied beasts like lions. In all we galloped four miles after 

 this wounded rhino bull. 



Striped hyena trapped by Heller 

 From a photograph by Edmund Heller 



