HUNTING THE RHINOCER.OS. 137 



near a fountain, where the wild animals were accustomed 

 to drink, and then prepared for the anticipated sport. 



The next morning we mounted our horses, Carollus being 

 in company for after rider, and left the camp. We haa 

 not advanced more than two miles, when turning abruptly 

 around the base of a low hill, we found ourselves front to 

 front with a monstrous "black animal, having two horns 

 upon its long snout. 



"A black rhinoceros!" shouted Mr. Barrill, checking 

 his horse, and, I thought, turning pale. My nerves were 

 unshaken, and as the huge beast had fairly discovered 

 us, I aimed at its shoulder and fired. Mr. Barrill then 

 followed suit. The rhinoceros was struck by both balls ; 

 but it made a tremendous rush towards us, and we fled 

 rapidly. Suddenly the monster halted, and, as we checked 

 our steeds and prepared our rifles for another shot, it fled 

 and was pursued in turn. Mr. Barrill knew more of the na- 

 ture and habits of the animal than I, for he had conversed 

 with intelligent hunters upon the subject. I kept in the 

 rear, fearing to trust my horse upon the side ; but Mr. 

 Barrill dashed up, and gave him a mortal shot behind the 

 shoulder. I repeated the dose, and, after snorting and 

 blowing dreadfully, the rhinoceros turned on us a look of 

 intense ferocity, and fell dead upon the plain. 



Here was a triumph ! Three cheers broke from us, as 

 the animal thundered down. We quickly dismounted, 



12* 



