SKIPPER. 69 



spot, he ventured so close before he fired, that the 

 cocking of his piece gave the first intimation of 

 danger to the elephant, which at the same instant 

 received the fatal ball. The poor beast ran for some 

 distance before it fell ; Thackwray marked it with 

 his initials, meaning to return at some future time 

 for its tusks, as well as for those of the other which 

 he had shot on the preceding day. 



My curiosity with regard to elephant-shooting was 

 now perfectly satisfied, and the weather being cold 

 and wet, we resolved on returning without delay 

 to Fort Wiltshire. On our route we met a cele- 

 brated elephant-hunter, a Hottentot, of the name of 

 Skipper, whose horse had lately been killed under 

 him by a rhinoceros. He stated, in reference to this 

 disaster, that before he had time to raise his gun to 

 his shoulder, the animal rushed at him with great 

 fury, thrust its horn into the horse's chest, throw- 

 ing horse, Hottentot and all, over its back. The 

 rhinoceros went off without attempting to do him any 

 further injury, whilst he was in vain grappling for 

 his gun to take a shot at the animal in its retreat. 

 " But," said he, " though he was too quick for me 

 this time, I may meet him again some day, when I 

 shall not forget to betaal him." 



Mr. Rose has so ably pourtrayed this noted indi- 

 vidual, that I cannot refrain from giving the descrip- 

 tion in his own words. " Skipper, one of the Hot- 

 tentots, was far the most singular figure in the group : 

 his large hat, with its round raised top, and strangely- 



