THE FIRST GAME CAIMP 



relieved when, after a short time, his route and 

 mine separated. 



Well, we clambered up that slope with a fine com- 

 pound of tension, expectation, and latent uneasiness 

 as to just w^hat was going to happen, anyway. 

 Finally, we raised the backs of the beasts, stooped, 

 sneaked a little nearer, and finally at a signal stood 

 upright perhaps forty yards from the brutes. 



For the first time I experienced a sensation I was 

 destined many times to repeat — that of the sheer 

 size of the animals. Menagerie rhinoceroses had 

 been of the smaller Indian variety; and in any case 

 most menagerie beasts are more or less stunted. 

 These two, facing us, their little eyes blinking, looked 

 like full-grown ironclads on dry land. The moment 

 we stood erect B. fired at the larger of the two. In- 

 stantly they turned and were oft at a tearing run. 

 I opened fire, and B. let loose his second barrel. At 

 about two hundred and fifty yards the big rhinoceros 

 suddenly fell on his side, while the other continued 

 his flight. It was all over — very exciting because 

 w^e got excited, but not in the least dangerous. 



The boys were delighted, for here was meat in 

 plenty for everybody. We measured the beast, 

 photographed him., marv'elled at his immense size, 

 and turned him over to the gunbearers for treatment. 

 In half an hour or so a long string of porters headed 



69 



