FIRST GLIMPSE OF A WILD LION 89 



ing-picture machine, advanced it cautiously to 

 within a few yards of the unsuspecting rhino, and 

 then w r e tried to provoke a charge. We took a 

 dozen or more rhinos in this way, often approach- 

 ing to within a few yards, and if there is any more 

 exciting diversion I don't know what it is. I've 

 looped the loop and there is no comparison. It is 

 more like being ambushed by Filipino insurgents 

 that is, it's the same kind of excitement, with 

 more danger. 



One day it was necessary to shoot a big bull 

 rhino. He staggered and fell, but at once got up 

 and trotted over a hill. Having wounded him, it 

 was then necessary for me to follow him, which I 

 did for three blazing hours. From nine o'clock till 

 twelve I followed, with the sun beating down on 

 the dry, grass-covered hills as though it meant to 

 burn up everything beneath it. If any one had 

 asked me, "Is it hot enough for you?" I should have 

 answered "Yes" without a moment's hesitation. 

 The horizon shimmered in waves of heat. From 

 the top of one hill I could see my rhino half a mile 

 away on the slope of another. When I reached the 

 slope he was a mile farther on. I began to think he 

 was a mirage. For a wounded animal, with two 

 five-hundred-grain shells in his shoulder, he was the 

 most astonishing example of vitality I have ever 

 seen. He would have been safe against a Gatling 

 gun. There were more low trees a mile farther on, 

 and I plodded doggedly on in the hope of getting 

 a little relief from the sun. As I drew near I 



