90 
WILD ANIMALS. 
my morning walks (I could not leave the property for 
a single day's shooting) after guinea-fowl, when they 
had become so wild that a rifle was necessary, I once 
stumbled across two full-sized rhinoceros ; both at- 
tempted to run up to me, but at 20 yards' distance 
turned off, showing their full lengths, hobbling in their 
canter like little pigs, the leader with cocked tail. A 
steady aim at the shoulder had no effect, and in case 
he might charge, I looked for my shot-gun, but my 
two followers were in full flight. They had observed 
the animals, and had been calling out to me to take care, 
but allowed me to go right upon them without a stalk. 
We tracked, and found that the two had separated. 
All animals wander so, that you never know which to 
keep in your hand, the gun or rifle. I was fortunate 
in knocking over with shot a light bay hornless female 
antelope, which was new to me : it had four white 
cuts across its saddle, the spinal ridge and inside of 
legs white, spotted sides, and tail a tuft of long hair. 
Altogether I was proud of my prize, as there was no- 
thing whatever in the larder. My single follower 
made many excuses that he was not able to carry it 
home, but I assisted till close up to the village, when 
I was ordered to go and ask whether the sultan would 
allow it inside, my attendant saying, " Wezees gener- 
ally have an aversion to it." "M'weeko" — i.e., "it's 
not customary;" "it's a 'phongo,'" "never eaten," &c. 
Disgusted at having wasted two charges of English shot 
upon it, I thought there was a chance for me through 
the sultan. He looked surprised, and flew into such 
a rage, that the men round him had to explain — " If 
you eat it you'll lose your fingers and toes, get scab 
all over, and if it has spat on you the part will be- 
