244 ON SAFARI 



boudoir ; we stood actually at seven yards before detect- 

 ing liim within. His cliamber was a natural arbour, 

 four-square, formed by grouped trees whose foliage 

 overarched it above, while green brushwood walled it in 

 below. 



Though so near, we could not distinguish the position 

 of the beast — it was merely the indication of a dark 

 mass that we saw ; and for several trying minutes we 

 stood, nervous lest some fickle puff of air might betray 

 us. Then the waggle of a stumpy tail showed that we 

 were right under his stern, the beast standing about 

 tw^o-thirds " off." Gently we retreated backwards, since 

 such quarters were too close, leaving neither time nor 

 room to act had we been detected ; and, besides, we thus 

 gained the advantage of rising ground. When some 

 twenty yards away, and already nearly full broadside, 

 my foot in backing touched a stone, and round came 

 that huge head instantly, the broad, tufted ears deflecting 

 to catch the slightest sound. It appeared as fair a chance 

 as was likely to occur ; so I placed a ■450-solid six inches 

 below the visible ear. The indication of a dark mass 

 vanished ; there was a heavy fall, followed by groans 

 and thumps as of a Nasmyth hammer. These I saw, on 

 running forward (lest the beast was merely stunned), 

 arose from the great head convulsively pounding the 

 earth. The second shot was then placed in the lungs, 

 and within a few moments all was over. This was a 

 huge old bull, exceeding 12|^ ft. in total length — almost 

 identical with that previously shot at Elmenteita, though 

 measuring a foot less at shoulder. Even at the first, 

 distant view, I had noticed that this was an unusually 

 long low beast. The comparative dimensions of the two 

 are given at p. 142. The anterior horn of this rhino was 

 just under 18 ins. 



The bedroom bore evidence of long occupation, pro- 

 trudino; branches at the sides beins^ all broken off short 

 — whether by accident or design — the floor worn flat and 

 smooth, all made snug and comfortable, as though the 

 rhino had occupied this koppie for a century. Yet the 



