244 
ON SAFARI 
boudoir; we stood actually at seven yards before detect¬ 
ing bim within. His chamber was a natural arbour, 
four-square, formed by grouped trees whose foliage 
overarched it above, while green brushwood walled it in 
below. 
Though so near, we could not distinguish the position 
of the beast—it was merely the indication of a dark 
mass that we saw; and for several trying minutes we 
stood, nervous lest some fickle puff of air might betray 
us. Then the waggle of a stumpy tail showed that we 
were right under his stern, the beast standing about 
two-thirds “ off.” Gently we retreated backwards, since 
such quarters were too close, leaving neither time nor 
room to act had we been detected ; and, besides, we thus 
gained the advantage of rising ground. When some 
twenty yards away, and already nearly full broadside, 
my foot in backing touched a stone, and round came 
that huge head instantly, the broad, tufted ears deflecting 
to catch the slightest sound. It appeared as fair a chance 
as was likely to occur; so I placed a '4 50-solid six inches 
below the visible ear. The indication of a dark mass 
vanished; there was a heavy fall, followed by groans 
and thumps as of a Nasmyth hammer. These I saw T , on 
running forward (lest the beast was merely stunned), 
arose from the great head convulsively pounding the 
earth. The second shot was then placed in the lungs, 
and within a few moments all was over. This was a 
huge old bull, exceeding 12J ft. in total length—almost 
identical with that previously shot at Elmenteita, though 
measuring a foot less at shoulder. Even at the first, 
distant view, I had noticed that this was an unusually 
long low beast. The comparative dimensions of the two 
are given at p. 142. The anterior horn of this rhino was 
just under 18 ins. 
The bedroom bore evidence of long occupation, pro¬ 
truding branches at the sides being all broken off short 
—whether by accident or design—the floor worn flat and 
smooth, all made snug and comfortable, as though the 
rhino had occupied this koppie for a century. Yet the 
