260 BIG GAME SHOOTING 
Ramazan had received rather a shock to his nerves on finding 
himself at such close quarters.. However, he put it into my hand 
at last, after a delay of perhaps two seconds, which appeared to 
me much longer, and I quickly planted a bullet on the point of 
her left shoulder which knocked her over. Reloading before 
I moved, I saw she was still down, but making desperate 
efforts to get up ; but as she was lying on her left side with her 
broken shoulder under her, she was unable to do so, and I ran 
up and despatched her with a shot in the neck. This was the’ 
only time I ever knocked a rhino down on the spot with the 
shoulder shot, but I took it here becausé she was too much 
end on for the neck shot, which I always prefer for these beasts 
when within a range of 35 yards, as when struck in the right 
spot they drop dead, and the chances of a charge are removed. 
A rhinoceros when once started is a difficult beast to stop, 
though a shot from a heavy rifle will generally turn it. Their 
most determined charge is less to be feared than that of a 
buffalo or elephant, as they rarely if ever hunt a man, but rush 
straight on, whether they miss him or knock him down. The 
only instance I have ever heard of in which a rhinoceros renewed 
the attack under any circumstances (i.e. wounded or un- 
wounded) after it had dispersed or knocked down its enemy, 
happened to Captain Pringle, R.E., when returning from 
Uganda in 1892. This occurred between Machako’s and Kib- 
wezi, in Ukambani. The beast—which, by the way, was not 
wounded—repeatedly charged the men, who were, however, 
too nimble for it, and it finally amused itself by tossing 
Pringle’s load of bedding about, ventilating it in some half- 
dozen places with its horn before being driven off. 
When within range, which may be any distance between 80 
and 30 yards, unless safely ensconced behind a small tree or ant- 
heap, the stalker should cast a look round immediately to 
leeward of his position, to see that there is no wart-hog hole or 
other obstruction, in which he might come to grief, should it 
be necessary to dodge in case of acharge. The stalker should 
always endeavour to get within a range of 80 yards, to ensure 
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