134 



THROUGH JUNGLE AND DESERT 



CHAP. IV 



and, as the fallen tree hid the animal's shoulder, I could 

 see no vital spot exposed at which to aim. I gazed at 

 it — fascinated. Its small eyes appeared to look into 

 my very heart, and I could distinctly hear the grinding 

 of its teeth as it fed. The wind was blowing in my 

 direction. 



For some moments we stood facing one another. 

 Almost unconsciously I raised my rifle to my shoulder 

 and ranged my eye along the sights. Still no move- 

 ment on the part of the animal. After remaining in 

 this position for, say, thirty seconds, the animal appeared 

 to become restless and swung its horned snout to one 

 side, thereby giving me an opportunity for a good shot 

 at its neck. In an instant my rifle was discharged ; 

 then through the smoke rushed the rhinoceros. In- 

 stinctively I leaped to one side, and, as it passed me, I 

 gave it a second shot, almost without taking any aim.. 

 It fell — dead. Beyond doubt this was the same rhi- 

 noceros which had tossed Sururu, for upon the tip of 

 its forward horn blood was plainly to be seen. I partly 

 account for its utter unconsciousness of our approach 

 from the fact that in the bright sunlight a rhinoceros 

 is quite blind ; but how to explain why it had not heard 

 us forcing our way through the tall grass I am unable 

 to say. It could not smell us, for the wind blew in our 

 direction, so that I am forced to the conclusion that 

 the rhinoceros depends more upon its sense of smell 

 than upon either its sight or hearing. 



By this time the faces of my men wore solemn and 

 frightened expressions, and many of them muttered that 

 I must be bewitched to follow such a path, and through 

 such a dangerous country. But had not Lieutenant 



