148 THE IttllNOCEROS. 



" They were holding their noses to the wind, and 

 consequently presented their croups to us. 



"It is a habit of these quadrupeds, when thus 

 stopping, to place themselves to windward, in order 

 to be warned by scent of any enemies they have to 

 fear. Occasionally, they turn the head to cast a 

 glance behind, to watch for their safety, but it is 

 simply a glance, and the affair of an instant. 



"We were discussing the disposition to be made 

 for the attack, when Jonker, one of my Hottentots, 

 begged me to allow him to attack the beasts alone. 

 I permitted him to do so. He stripped naked and 

 departed, carrying his gun with him, and crawling 

 on his belly like a serpent. 



''Daring this time I placed my hunters in the 

 posts they were to occupy, whilst I remained where 

 I was with two Hottentots the one held my horse 

 and the other the dogs. We were all three con- 

 cealed behind a bush. I had in my hand an opera- 

 glass, with which I had often watched the jeu des 

 machines, and the effect of theatrical decorations : 

 but the objects were changed now ! At this moment 

 it exhibited to mo two frightful monsters, turning 

 their hideous heads now on this side, now on that. 

 Soon their movements of observation and of fear 

 became more frequent, and I feared lest they might 

 have heard the motions of my dogs, which, having 



