A JOURNEY UNDER DIFFICULTIES. 
371 
The borele is a very fierce and dangerous animal, and is more 
feared by the natives than even the lion. Although so clumsy in 
shape and aspect, it is really a quick and active creature, darting 
about with lightning speed, and testing the powers of a good horse 
to escape from its charge. Like many other wild animals it becomes 
furiously savage when wounded, but it will sometimes attack a pas¬ 
senger without the least provocation. 
On one occasion an angry rhinoceros came charging down 
upon a wagon and struck his horn into the bottom plank with such 
force as to send the wagon forward for several paces, although it 
was sticking in deep sand. He then left the wagon, and directed 
his attack upon the fire, knocking the burning wood in every direc¬ 
tion, and upsetting the pot which had been placed on the fire. He 
then continued his wild career in spite of the attempts of a native 
who flung a spear at him, but without the least effect, as the iron 
point bent against the strong hide. 
THE SKIN EXTREMELY HARD AND THICK. 
The skin of this animal does not fall in folds, like that of the 
Asiatic species, but is nevertheless extremely thick and hard, and 
will resist an ordinary leaden bullet, unless it be fired from a short 
distance. The skin is employed largely in the manufacture of 
whips, or jamboks. 
The horn of the borele, from its comparatively small dimen¬ 
sions, is not so valuable as that of the other species, but is still 
employed in the manufacture of drinking-cups and sword-handles. 
Its value is about half that of ivory. 
The food of the black rhinoceros, whether the borele of the 
keitola, is composed of roots, which the animal ploughs out of the 
ground with its horn, and of the young branches and shoots of the 
wait-a-bit thorn. It is rather remarkable that the black species 
is poisoned by one of the Euphoibiacese, which is eaten with im¬ 
punity by the two white animals. 
When wounded, the black rhinoceros is a truly fearful oppo¬ 
nent, and it is generally considered very unsafe to fire at the ani¬ 
mal unless the hunter is mounted on a good horse or provided with 
