CURIOUS DEATH OF A YOUNG RHINOCEROS 489 



point of riding back for a rifle to give it its quietus, when the 

 rhinoceros tripped up and fell on its side, driving the spear- 

 blade right through him and out of the chest ; a few more 

 squeals and gasps, and he lay dead ! 



When the spear was extracted the shaft was splintered, so 

 our hog-hunting ended. Before the next season came round 

 poor Pekoe had been eaten by a tiger, and I was en route to 

 Secunderabad. Nor did W. survive long. He was the most 

 rising man in the Commission, and his death was most 

 painful and inexplicable. Peace to his ashes ! for a better 

 fellow never lived. 



