NO. I THE WHITE RHINOCEROS HELLER 9 



day to complete this preliminary paring. The skin was then rolled in 

 salt and folded for the night. While the skinning was in progress a 

 few of the porters were busy fleshing out the skeletons of the two 

 rhinoceroses. During the day great numbers of vultures and mara- 

 bout storks came to the carcass, but they were not permitted to offer 

 their services. They contented themselves, however, by draping the 

 neighboring thorn trees with their persons and waiting for our 

 departure. 



Our experience of the previous night had given us every assurance 

 of the lack of carnivorous animals in the immediate vicinity. The 

 entire force, consisting of eight skinners and myself, accordingly 

 turned in without even thinking of taking precautions against the loss 

 of our specimens by carnivores. We had camped practically upon the 

 rhinoceros bodies, but beyond the protective value of our presence 

 nothing had been done to guard the camp. At about two o'clock in 

 the morning we were suddenly awakened by the growling of lions. 

 Three lions had come into our midst and were quarreling among 

 themselves over the carcasses which lay not more than fifteen feet 

 away and almost directly between the two tents. The lions were 

 absorbed in their quarrel over the meat and paid very little heed to 

 us, but the night was so dark that they could not be seen. The un- 

 protected skinners left their tent and sneaked silently over to mine. 

 A lantern was soon lighted, and the rifles and the reflecting acetylene 

 headlight arranged. When the powerful rays of the headlight were 

 thrown upon the lions they bolted instantly without allowing an 

 opportunity for a shot. They remained, however, at a safe distance 

 of about one hundred yards or so, growling occasionally. Finally, 

 all noise ceased. The skinners attempted to return to their tent, but 

 a few warning growls sent them back to me. After they had eased 

 their minds by much excited conversation they went to sleep where 

 they were, under the fly of the tent, and we were not again disturbed 

 until four in the morning. At this hour the lions returned and sere- 

 naded us in a last attempt to get possession of the rhinoceros meat. 

 At daylight they withdrew leaving the field to us and the vultures. 



During the morning both skins were pared down thin enough to 

 allow the salt to penetrate through the dermis and preserve the thin 

 epidermal layer containing the pigment and the few hairs possessed 

 by the rhinoceros. When this work was completed the larger skin 

 was rolled up tightly into a barrel-shaped bundle two feet in diameter 

 and three feet in length. In this shape it was lashed to a stout pole 

 and carried to the permanent camp on the shoulders of four negroes. 



