230 TWO DIANAS IN SOMALILAND 
glade. Flies in myriads were buzzing about the 
undergrowth, a reddish squirrel, with bushy tail, 
jerked towards me on a fallen guda tree, then with a 
chatter made off among the branches. The air was 
simply stifling with dry heat, and I was thirsty beyond 
words. 
Wonder of wonders ! A dark ponderous bulk 
loomed on the left of us, under a great guda tree, 
overhung with armo creeper. The great head came 
well into view, all unconscious of intruders. The 
beast was lunching, eating his favourite bushes, and 
munching steadily. This was not at all sporting — 
it seemed so simple. 
Cecily gently pushed the muzzle of her 12-bore 
through the sheltering thorns, and was able to take 
careful and steady aim at the rhino’s ear. She was in 
excellent range. It is no use trying for a rhino at 
a distance exceeding eighty, or at the most, ninety 
yards. Bang ! The smoke hung for a moment, 
obscuring everything. The animal seemed to stagger 
to the shot. And then, on the instant, with snorts 
and squeals, small out of all proportion to the size of 
the emitter, charged across the intervening space. 
Then when he had made the jungle he as quickly dashed 
back again. I was very anxious for Cecily to have 
this shoot all to herself, and though I had a glorious 
chance of a heart shot from my position, I held my 
fire. 
I am not very clear what happened next, and when 
I apply to my cousin she says, “ I’m sure I cannot tell 
you.” I think Cecily came dangerously forward. The 
