179 
CH. VIII] A LARGE COW RHINO 
any rate, I noticed one herd of hartebeest which, after 
feeding through the late afternoon, lay down at 
nightfall. 
After getting the bull rhino, Heller needed a cow 
and calf to complete the group ; and Kermit and I got 
him what he needed one day when we were out alone 
with our gun-bearers. About the middle of the fore¬ 
noon we made out the huge grey bulk of the rhino, 
standing in the bare plain, with not so much as a bush 
two feet high within miles ; and we soon also made out 
her calf beside her. Getting the wind right, we rode 
up within a quarter of a mile, and then dismounted and 
walked slowly toward her. It seemed impossible that 
on that bare plain we could escape even her dull vision, 
for she stood with her head in our direction ; yet she 
did not see us, and actually lay down as we walked 
toward her. Careful examination through the glasses 
showed that she was an unusually big cow, with thick 
horns of fair length—twenty-three inches and thirteen 
inches respectively. Accordingly we proceeded, making 
as little noise as possible. At fifty yards she made us 
out, and jumped to her feet with unwieldy agility. 
Kneeling, I sent the bullet from the heavy Holland just 
in front of her right shoulder as she half faced me. It 
went through her vitals, lodging behind the opposite 
shoulder; and at once she began the curious death waltz 
which is often, though by no means always, the sign of 
immediate dissolution in a mortally wounded rhino. 
Kermit at once put a bullet from his Winchester behind 
her shoulder, for it is never safe to take chances with a 
rhino ; and we shot the calf, which when dying uttered 
a screaming whistle almost like that of a small steam - 
engine. In a few seconds both fell, and we walked up 
to them, examined them, and then continued our ride, 
