^ Rhinoceros-hunting 



even greater ranges with bullets of lead and steel. A 

 glance through the telescopic sight affixed to the perfected 

 rifle of to-day, a gentle pressure with the finger, and the 

 rhinoceros, all unconscious of its enemy in the distance, 

 meets its end. 



But there is at least more danger and more romance 

 for the modern hunter in this unequal strife when it takes 

 place in a wilderness where bush and brushwood enforce a 

 fight at close quarters. Then, if he doesn't kill his beast 

 outright on the spot, or if he has to deal with several 

 at a time, the bravest man's heart will have good reason 

 to beat fast. 



Now for our start. 



We make our way up the side of a hill with the first 

 rays of the tropical sun striking hot already on the earth. 

 The country is wild, the ascent is difficult, and we have 

 to dodge now this way, now that, to extricate ourselves 

 from the rocky valley into which we have got. The 

 vegetation all around us is rank and strange ; strong grass 

 up to our knees, and dense creepers and thorn-bushes 

 retard our progress. Here are the mouldering trunks of 

 giant trees uprooted by the wind, there living trees standing 

 strong and unshaken. But as we advance we come 

 gradually to a more arid stretch, and green vegetation 

 gives place to a rocky region, broken into crevices and 

 chasms. Here we find the rock-badger in hundreds. 

 But the leaders have given their warning sort of whistle, 

 and they are all off like lightning. It may be quite a 

 long time before they reappear from the nooks and 

 crannies to which they have fled. Lizards share these 



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