THE LAND OF FOOTPRINTS 



the intended victim is not interested in the rhino's 

 mental processes. 



Owing to his size, his powerful armament, and his 

 incredible quickness the rhinoceros is a dangerous 

 animal at all times, to be treated with respect and 

 due caution. This is proved by the number of white 

 men, out of a sparse population, that are annually 

 tossed and killed by the brutes, and by the prompt- 

 ness with which the natives take to trees — thorn 

 trees at that! — when the cry oi faru! is raised. As 

 he comes rushing in your direction, head down and 

 long weapon pointed, tail rigidly erect, ears up, the 

 earth trembling with his tread and the air with his 

 snorts, you suddenly feel very small and ineffective. 



If you keep cool, however, it is probable that the 

 encounter will result only in a lot of mental perturba- 

 tion for the rhino and a bit of excitement for your- 

 self. If there is any cover you should duck down 

 behind it and move rapidly but quietly to one side 

 or another of the line of advance. If there is no 

 cover, you should crouch low and hold still. The 

 chances are he will pass to one side or the other of 

 you, and go snorting away into the distance. Keep 

 your eye on him very closely. If he swerves defi- 

 nitely in your direction, and drops his head a little 

 lower, it would be just as well to open fire. Provided 

 the beast was still far enough away to give me "sea- 



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