256 BIG GAME SHOOTING 



had caused us much trouble. When I was returning to the 

 caravan track to call men to carry the meat, having only a 12 -bore 

 shot-gun in my hand, loaded with No. 8 shot, there being a good 

 many sand-grouse about, out floundered a cow rhino and calf 

 from behind a bush 25 yards off. To slip behind two small 

 mimosa saplings, within a few feet of me, was the work of a 

 second, but I was not quick enough to prevent the rhino catching 

 sight of me, when she came straight at me with her head down. 

 When within 15 yards, which I thought quite close enough, I 

 fired at her head with splendid effect, as she lunged forward 

 and stumbled on to her knees, ploughing up the ground with 

 her chin ; but quickly recovering herself swung round on her 

 hind legs and bolted, followed by the calf. Stopping a charging 

 rhino with No. 8 shot is perhaps unique. 



Rhinoceroses will often charge through a caravan without 

 any apparent provocation, but in most cases, if not in all, I 

 believe the cause to be stupidity rather than viciousness, and 

 also their almost invariable habit of retreating up wind. I 

 have never known of a case in which a rhinoceros has charged a 

 caravan down the wind, except once, when the beast was in such 

 close proximity to the footpath that, being suddenly aroused 

 from sleep by the noise of the men, and seeing them, it charged 

 in self-defence. I know, however, of several cases cf a rhino- 

 ceros charging through caravans from a considerable distance, 

 but always up wind, and, from what I observed, can only 

 account for it in one way. The rhinoceros is generally lying 

 asleep, perhaps several yards off, when the caravan passes to wind- 

 ward of it, and as the countries where these beasts are found 

 are for the most part uninhabited, the caravans on the march 

 are often of considerable length, as the men straggle along 

 much more when there is little fear of trouble from natives. 



The beast on being aroused will start up, stare about, sniff 

 the wind with head raised, and trot off to the right or left, by 

 which time the caravan, moving on, is extended in a long line 

 well across the wind, and the rhinoceros, finding that which- 

 ever way he turns he is unable to get clear of the men's scent, 



