92 
WILD BEASTS AND THEIR WA YS 
CHAP. 
the rhinoceros is a sullen, stupid brute that is afraid 
of nothing. 
I have never seen more than one species of 
rhinoceros east of the White Nile, from Abyssinia 
to within i° 14'of the equator; this is the variety 
known as the Ketloa. It well merits the distinction 
of superior ferocity, as it will attack either man 
or beast, frequently without the slightest pro¬ 
vocation. It is especially likely to attack should 
it obtain the wind (scent) of any person or strange 
animal before it appears in sight. This makes it 
extremely dangerous when riding through thick 
jungle or high grass, should a rhinoceros be some¬ 
where concealed to leeward. I have myself been 
hunted out of the jungle by two rhinoceroses which 
thus gained our wind, just as we had become aware 
of their existence through the presence of fresh 
droppings. Fortunately there was no lady, and our 
party was confined to the Hamran Arabs and 
myself; but three sharp whiffs close at hand in the 
thick jungle, like jets of steam let off to ease the 
boiler, were immediately followed by the animals 
themselves, which came tearing down upon us at 
full speed, and sent us flying in all directions. 
No lady upon a side saddle could possibly have 
ridden through that thorny jungle without being 
dragged from her seat. As it was, after a mad 
chase the animals lost sight of us, but when we 
collected together, everybody was more or less 
damaged, by either tumbling over rocks, or being 
torn by the hooked thorns. 
