230 TWO DIANAS IN SOMALILAND 



glade. Flies in myriads were buzzing about the 

 undergrowth, a reddish squirrel, with bushy tail, 

 jerked towards me on a fallen guda tree, then with a 

 chatter made off among the branches. The air was 

 simply stifling with dry heat, and I was thirsty beyond 

 words. 



Wonder of wonders ! A dark ponderous bulk 

 loomed on the left of us, under a great guda tree, 

 overhung with armo creeper. The great head came 

 well into view, all unconscious of intruders. The 

 beast was lunching, eating his favourite bushes, and 

 munching steadily. This was not at all sporting — 

 it seemed so simple. 



Cecily gently pushed the muzzle of her 12-bore 

 through the sheltering thorns, and was able to take 

 careful and steady aim at the rhino's ear. She was in 

 excellent range. It is no use trying for a rhino at a 

 distance exceeding eighty, or at the most, ninety 

 yards. Bang ! The smoke hung for a moment, 

 obscuring everything. The animal seemed to stagger 

 to the shot. And then, on the instant, with snorts 

 and squeals, small out of all proportion to the size of 

 the emitter, charged across the intervening space. 

 Then when he made the jungle he as quickly dashed 

 back again. I was very anxious for Cecily to have 

 this shoot all to herself, and though I had a glorious 

 chance of a heart shot from my position, I held my 

 fire. 



I am not very clear what happened next, and when 

 I apply to my cousin she says, " I'm sure I cannot tell 

 you." I think Cecily came dangerously forward. The 



