730 MK. F. C. SKLOUS ON THE [JunC 7, 



sprung up again immediately, and come rushing straight forwards, 

 snorting like a steam-engine, and passing perhaps within a few yards 

 of me. In these cases, iiowever, it always appeared to me that the 

 animal had no idea of charging, but was just rushing madly for- 

 wards, half stunned by the shock of the heavy bullet. I have seen 

 the same thing happen to some people, both black and white, who 

 described it afterwards as the most terrific charge ; and many a Black- 

 Rhinoceros story has originated, I feel sure, in this way. That a 

 Prehensile-lipped Rhinoceros when in full career, and either 

 wounded or tired, will charge any one or any thing, even to a waggon 

 or span of oxen, that he sees directly in his path and close in front 

 of him, I know well enough ; but so will an elephant, buffalo, or 

 lion. What I wish to argue is, not that the Black Rhinoceros is a 

 sweet-tempered animal, but that, at any rate in the great majority 

 of cases, he is by no means the surly, morose, and dangerous beast 

 that some travellers would have one believe. Somehow or other he 

 has got an evil reputation, which, however unjust, will outlive the 

 last of his species in South Africa. Kafirs who have never seen a 

 Rhinoceros will tell you that it is a witch, and that it will follow up 

 a man's spoor, attack him in the night, &c., simply because that is 

 the character tradition has given him. Similarly many Hottentot 

 and white hunters, who have only been hunting since Rhinoceroses 

 became very scarce, and who perhaps have not seen half a dozen of 

 these animals in their lives, will relate endless stories of their 

 unprovoked ferocity ; for it is one of their articles of faith that a 

 Prehensile-lipped Rhinoceros is a most ferocious animal, and they 

 therefore invent stories to suit his supposed character. Now there 

 are very few Kafir or Hottentot hunters who will meddle with. 

 a lion, unless they meet him under exceptionally favourable circum- 

 stances ; but, except when on elephant-spoor, or afraid of disturbing 

 those animals, they will seldom pass a Rhinoceros, no matter of 

 what species, without attacking him ; for they know that they have 

 to deal with an animal easy to approach and easy to kill, and one that 

 will give them a great quantity of good meat ; yet to hear them 

 talk about the animals you would imagine the Rhinoceros to be the 

 more dangerous of the two. "What first gave rise to the very 

 general impression that the Prehensile-lipped Rhinoceros is such a 

 very dangerous animal I cannot imagine, unless, perhaps, in 

 former years, before the introduction of firearms, there did exist 

 some old and morose individuals of this species that committed a 

 great many atrocities, and which have since been shot, leaving only 

 their evil name to their descendants. However, be that as it may, 

 speaking of the Prehensile-lipped Rhinoceros of the present day, 

 after an experience of eight years, during which time 1 have encoun- 

 tered over one hundred of these animals, I can conscientiously say 

 that I consider their pvirsuit to be attended with less danger than 

 that of the lion, elephant, or buffalo. 



In the end of November 1874, I chased a Prehensile-lipped 

 Rhinoceros bull round and round on an open flat (at Thamma 

 Setjie, on the Zambesi road), until he stood still with his mouth 



