THE LAND OF FOOTPRINTS 



at us, and continued so to come, that in spite of our- 

 selves we were compelled to kill them. The rest 

 were successfully dodged. 



As I have heard old hunters, of many times my 

 experience, affirm that only in a few instances have 

 they themselves been charged indubitably and with 

 malice aforethought, it might be well to detail my 

 reasons for believing myself definitely and not 

 blindly attacked. 



The first instance was that when B. killed his 

 second trophy rhinoceros. The beast's companion 

 refused to leave the dead body for a long time, but 

 finally withdrew. On our approaching, however, 

 and after we had been some moments occupied with 

 the trophy, it returned and charged viciously. It 

 was finally killed at fifteen yards. 



The second instance was of a rhinoceros that got 

 up from the grass sixty yards away, and came head- 

 long in my direction. At the moment I was stand- 

 ing on the edge of a narrow eroded ravine, ten feet 

 deep, with perpendicular sides. The rhinoceros 

 came on bravely to the edge of this ravine — and 

 stopped. Then he gave an exhibition of unmiti- 

 gated bad temper most amusing to contemplate — • 

 from my safe position. He snorted, and stamped, 

 and pawed the earth, and ramped up and down at a 

 great rate. I sat on the opposite bank and laughed 



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