NATURAL HISTORY. 



THE KHINOCEKOS HUNT. 



they flew sometimes over open ground, then through low bush, which tried the Horses severely ; then 

 through strips of open forest, until at length the party began to tail off, and only a select few kept 

 their places. We arrived at the summit of a ridge, from which the ground sloped in a gentle inclina- 

 tion for about a mile towards the river; at the foot of this incline was thick, thorny, nabbuk jungle, 

 for which impenetrable covert the Rhinoceroses pressed at their utmost speed. Never was there better 

 ground for the finish of a race ; the earth was sandy, but firm, and as we saw the winning post in the 

 jungle that must terminate the hunt, we redoubled our exertions to close with the unflagging game. 

 Suleiman's Horse gave in we had been for about twenty minutes at a killing pace. Tetel, although 

 not a fast Horse, was good for a distance, and we now proved his power of endurance, as I was riding 

 at least two stone heavier than any of the party. Only four of the seven remained ; and we swept 

 down the incline, Taher Sheriff still leading, and Abou Do the last ! His Horse was done, but not 

 the rider; for, springing to the ground while at full speed, sword in hand, he forsook his tired Horse, 

 and, preferring his own legs, he ran like an Antelope, and for the first hundred yards I thought he 

 would really pass us and win the honour of first blow. It was of no use ; the pace was too severe, and, 

 although running wonderfully, he was obliged to give way to the Horses. Only three now followed 

 the Rhinoceroses. Taher Sheriff, his brother Rodur, and myself. I had been obliged to give the 

 second place to Rodur, as he was a mere Monkey in weight ; but I was a close third. The excitement 

 was intense ; we neared the jungle, and the Rhinoceroses began to show signs of flagging, as the dusl 

 puffed up before their nostrils, and, with noses close to the ground, they snorted as they still galloped 

 on. ' Oh for a fresh Horse !' We were within two hundred yards of the jungle ; but the Horses were 

 all done. Tetel reeled as I urged him forward; Rodur pushed ahead ; we were close to the dense thorns, 

 and the Rhinoceroses broke into a trot ; they were done ! Away went Taher; he was close to the very 

 heels of the beasts, but his Horse could do no more than Iiis present pace ; still he gained upon the 

 nearest ; he leaned forward, with his sword raised for the blow another moment and the jungle would 

 be reached ! One effort more, and the sword flashed in the sunshine, as the rearmost Rhinoceros 

 disappeared in the thick screen of thorns, with a gash about a foot long upon his hind-qxmrters. Taher 

 Sheriff shook his bloody sword in triumph above his head ; but the Rhinoceros was gone we wer^e fairly 



