32 
THE RHINOCEROS. 
only that night's supper, but food for the next two 
days. Our supplies of grain frequently ran out in 
camp, but the sportsman need never starve in the 
country we passed through ; for although we could 
not always find large game, there were sparrows, 
doves, or guinea-fowl to be had; while persons who do 
not sport may take note of the herbs gathered by the 
natives, and live upon them at a pinch. The spirit of 
our men sank, and a deep, gloomy silence hung over 
camp, when we had no grain, and continuous days of 
bad sport with our rifles. Not a man would obey 
orders ; they refused to march, and discipline had to 
be upheld in several instances by inflicting corporal 
punishment for the crime of stealing cloth to buy food. 
One Seedee, a powerful fellow, roared for mercy during 
the flogging, and disclosed to us who had been his 
accomplice in the theft. He was therefore excused 
the third dozen of lashes, and carried away bound, to 
be expelled from camp next morning. 
We foraged zealously for the camp, and succeeded 
in giving to every one a little meat. The black rhin- 
oceros would rarely charge, even though he saw us 
standing close to him ; but they always afford consid- 
erable excitement by the feints they make, and by 
their deep hoarse grunt. Their ears were often torn 
and their tails mutilated, apparently in consequence 
of their fighting with each other. Our whole camp 
ate heartily of the rhinoceros ; but the flesh, though 
sweet, requires very sharp teeth. Their young would 
seem to have great affection. "Wounding a large female 
one night, I next day traced her spoor for four miles, 
and suddenly came on her squatting like a hare in her 
form, with her back towards me. There was a great 
