After Big Game in Central Africa 



I am considering the night as wasted, and our 

 encounter as bound to have no other result, when 

 ray men and I suddenly see a shadow coming straight 

 towards us from the other side of the water, and I 

 recognise it to be the rhinoceros, slowly and noise- 

 lessly walking along. If I were not acquainted with 

 the animal's habits I should think it saw us and was 

 going to cross the water ; but its quiet air and raised 

 head show absence of suspicion ; its mistrust is set at 

 rest, and it is coming simply to drink. There it is 

 at the edge of the water, where it stops facing us, 

 listening and appearing so plainly to look at us that 

 I cannot prevent muttering to my men, " It sees us ! " 

 " No, no, it doesn't see us ; it is going down to drink. 

 Wait until it is at the water's edge," they whisper in 

 my ear. But a final suspicion comes over it ; it stops 

 at the edge and turns to look behind it, presenting its 

 entire profile as a mark for my rifle. Distinguishing 

 it clearly, I wish to profit by its position, and 

 without using the reflector take good aim at its 

 shoulder, firing two shots with the Express, one 

 after the other. . . . We hear the violent impact 

 of the bullets. 



Hardly has the report rang out than the noise 

 of a gallop dies away in the plain, and the usual 

 questions are exchanged between us, " Have I missed 

 or slightly wounded it ? " " Oh no ; your bullets 

 went home, and it did not utter a cry. We shall find 



an instant ; it had stood motionless in the middle against a thicket, 

 doubtless waiting until some noise or breath of wind informed it of 

 our movements. 



