138 LIFE WITH THE H AMR AN ARABS. 



CHAPTER IX. 



Feb. 13. Another stirring event for entry in the 

 diaries, but with a less satisfactory termination than 

 yesterday's, and Gumming is the victim. After spend- 

 ing some time in search of rhinoceros a fine maarirT 

 crossed his path, and with two shots from his twelve- 

 bore rifle he brought it to the ground. In the mean- 

 time his horse had started off and Hamet after it, and 

 whilst alone, thinking that he might as well inspect 

 the dying animal, he walked up to within three yards 

 of it, when, finding that it appeared to have a good 

 deal of life left in it, he turned round to get out of 

 harm's way. Hardly had he done so. when he heard 

 a rush made behind him, and in an instant as he fired a 

 chance shot over his shoulder he was sent flying in 

 one direction and his rifle in another. Upon picking 

 himself up he felt inclined to laugh at the occurrence, 

 until on putting his hand on the outside of his thigh 

 where he had been struck by one of the maariff's 

 horns, he found that it was covered with blood. It 

 being now no laughing matter he went quietly to a 



