THE WHITE RHINOCEROS. 483 



huge white rhinoceros a short distance ahead. I was riding a most excel- 

 lent hunter — the best and fleetest steed that I ever possessed during my 

 shooting excursions in Africa — at the time ; but it was a rule with me 

 never to pursue a rhinoceros on horseback, and simply because this 

 animal is so much more easily approached and killed on foot. On this 

 occasion, however, it seemed as if fate had interfered. Turning to my 

 after-rider, I called out : ' By heaven ! that fellow has got a fine horn ! I 

 will have a shot at him.' With that I clapped spurs to my horse, who 

 soon brought me alongside the huge beast, and the next instant I lodged 

 a ball in his body, but, as it turned out, not with deadly effect. On receiv- 

 ing my shot, the Rhinoceros, to my great surprise, instead of seeking 

 safety in flight, as is the habit of this generally inoffensive animal, sud- 

 denly stopped short, then turned sharply round, and having eyed me 

 most curiously for a second or two, walked slowly toward me. I never 

 dreamed of danger. Nevertheless, I instinctively turned my horse's 

 head away ; but strange to say, this creature, usually so docile and 

 gentle — which the slightest touch of the reins would be sufficient to 

 guide — now absolutely refused to give me his head. When at last he 

 did so, it was. too late ; for, notwithstanding the rhinoceros had only 

 been walking, the distance between us was so inconsiderable, that by 

 this time I clearly saw contact was unavoidable. Indeed, in another 

 moment I observed the brute bend low his head, and with a thrust 

 upward, strike his horn into the ribs of the horse with such force as to 

 penetrate to the very saddle on the opposite side, where I felt its sharp 

 point against my leg. The violence of the blow was so tremendous as 

 to cause the horse to make a complete somersault in the air, coming 

 heavily down on its back. With regard to myself, I was, as a matter of 

 course, violently precipitated to the ground. While thus prostrated, I 

 actually saw the horn of the infuriated beast alongside of me ; but 

 seemingly satisfied with his revenge, without attempting to do farther 

 mischief, he started off at a canter from the scene of action. My after- 

 rider having by this time come up, I rushed upon him, and almost pull- 

 ing him off his horse, leaped into the saddle ; and without a hat, and my 

 face streaming with blood, was quickly in pursuit of the retreating 

 beast, which I soon had the satisfaction to see stretched at my feet." 



The flesh of the White Rhinoceros is apt to be rather tough, but is 

 of good flavor. The best portions are those which are cut from the 

 upper part of the shoulder and from the ribs, where the fat and the lean 



