96 



THROUGH JUNGLE AND DESERT 



CHAP. 



the tall grass the soil was strewn with large and irregu- 

 larly shaped blocks of lava, which tripped the feet at 

 nearly every step. At many places on this plain herds 

 of game were cjuietly feeding, and within view I counted 

 six rhinoceroses. We pressed onward and made camp 

 by the side of a little stream filled with clear water. 

 After pitching camp I went for a stroll, and shot a 

 rhinoceros and a grantii. 



The flesh of the East African antelope is, with the 

 exception of the water-buck, excellent food The sad- 

 dle of an oryx beisa or grantii and the brisket of the 

 eland form, to my mind at least, as tempting morsels 

 as any procurable in civilization. 



Another day's march over this plain, and we reached 

 a cone about 300 feet high, within two miles of the foot- 

 hills of the mountain range. On this day's march the 

 caravan was twice charged by rhinoceroses. The first 

 adventure occurred in the early morning, just after sun- 

 rise. I was mounted upon my horse, and Karscho, my 

 gun-bearer, was walking at my side, carrying my .577; 

 across my saddle-bow lay my Winchester. Suddenly, 

 from the grass on our right, which was about three feet 

 in height, and at a distance of not more than fifteen 

 yards, rose a rhinoceros, with an angry snort. After a 

 moment's hesitation he rushed straight at us ; I raised 

 my Winchester, cocked, and pulled the trigger ; it was 

 empty. I threw it aside, seized the .577 from Karscho, 

 cocked, and pulled both triggers, only to find, much to 

 my disgust and, I may admit, alarm, that it also was 

 unloaded. All this took time, and the rhinoceros was 

 almost upon us, before I was able to get my pony into 

 a canter and make off in a direction at rio-ht ansfles to 



*3 O 



