46 Great and Small Game of Africa 



of animals and marvellously blind. So much so that it may often be 

 approached even on a bare plain with little trouble, up wind. It is their 

 very stupidity and blindness which makes these beasts a source of danger 

 to passing caravans ; for, should the wind be blowing from them, and unless 

 they be accompanied by tick-birds, as they often are, which alarm them 

 and cause them to make oft", they frequently remain unconscious of the 

 approach of a caravan until it is close to them, when, being suddenly 

 confronted with a long line of porters, they will sometimes charge straight 

 through it, apparently under the impression that there is no other way of 

 escape open. On the other hand they are keen-scented ; and if the wind 

 be blowing in their direction they start away at a quick trot as soon as 

 the taint reaches them and while yet a long way off". It is only when 

 wounded that a rhinoceros gallops. 



As regards the much-disputed question to what degree the rhinoceros 

 is a dangerous beast, the result of my experience and observations is very 

 decidedly to convince me that, under ordinary circumstances and with 

 proper caution, there is not very much risk in shooting him, and that the 

 danger is not to be compared in any way with that attending the pursuit of 

 the elephant. At the same time, there is always a possibility that one may 

 charge, and there is therefore a certain amount of excitement in the sport ; 

 and instances are not rare of men having been badly injured by these beasts. 

 They are easy to kill. A shot in the heart or through the lungs is quickly 

 fatal. Through, behind, or in front of the shoulder (according to the 

 position), or, if facing the hunter, in the throat (just where the neck joins 

 the chest), are the points I prefer to aim for, though a shot in the brain or 

 the vertebra- of the neck is more instantaneous in its effect. 



I should be sorry to enter upon the much-vexed question of the best 

 rifle to use, or to presume to lay down any rule for others as to the size or 

 bore they should adopt ; but I may record the fact that I have not found 

 the need of big bores, and was never more successful than with a common 



