418 
RHINOCEROS. 
themselves in the direction of the wind., in order that 
they may discover by their smell what enemies they 
have to dread. Prom time to time, however, they 
move their heads round to take a look behind them ; 
but it is only a look, and they soon return to their 
former position. 
We had already deliberated on the disposition to 
be made for commencing the attack, and I was 
giving some orders to my company, when Jonker, 
one of my Hottentots, requested that I would per- 
mit him to attack the two animals alone, as a 
bekruyper. 
My readers will here recollect, that, when I 
foolishly attempted to cross the elephant’s river near 
its mouth, on the trunk of a tree, Jonker was one 
of the swimmers who saved my life ; and that in 
return, at the desire of my companions, 1 raised 
him to the rank of hunter. At that time he wa* 
entirely a novice in this exercise ; but I have al- 
ready remarked, that he afterwards became a most 
excellent shot, and surpassed all the rest of my 
hunters, particularly in the art of creeping. 
I have before observed that hunting in Africa has 
no resemblance to that in Europe ; that to get within 
reach of certain wild animals, we must approach 
them without being perceived ; and that it is im- 
possible to get near them but by creeping on the 
belly. Those who have acquired this art are called 
bekruypers ; and it was in this quality that Jonker 
asked leave to attack alone the two rhinoceroses, 
assuring me that he would acquit himself to my 
satisfaction. 
As his design would not prevent the execution of 
our plan ; and as, in case his particular attack should 
not succeed, it would not impede our general one, 
I granted this request. He then stripped liimsell 
naked, and, taking his fusee, proceeded towards thg 
animals, creeping on his belly like a serpent. 
