KOODOOS, 
129 
troop) to disappear over the ridge, I came so sud¬ 
denly, at last, upon the troop, that, though usually 
most shy, wary, and difficult of approach, they 
seemed now quite stupified, and I got right and left 
at two magnificent old bulls, hearing the bullets tell 
loudly, like the drawing of corks, both within twenty- 
five yards ; but, being too anxious to get both, I 
got neither. It was very mortifying, and I felt very 
small in my own eyes. I had left my hat far back, 
and suffered terribly in consequence — burying my 
head in the grass, and twisting it over me, to endea¬ 
vour to keep off as much scorching sun as possible. 
To crown all, I lost the finest horned rhinoceros I 
ever beheld. I found him, while endeavouring to 
trace the blood-spoor of one of the wounded koo¬ 
doos, standing half up to his middle in a mud hole, 
K 
