“ I had been observing the country for some time
from my high station, when I suddenly perceived two
rhinoceros emerge from a ravine ; they walked slowly
through a patch of high grass, and skirted the base of
the hill upon which we were standing : presently they
winded something, and they trotted back and stood
concealed in the patch of grass. Although I had a
good view of them from my present position, I knew
that I should not be able to see them in their covert,
if on the same level; I therefore determined to send
to the tent for my other horses, and to ride them
down, if I could not shoot them on foot; accordingly,
I sent a man off, directing him to lead Tetel from
the peak, and to secure him to a tree at the foot of
the hill, as I was afraid the rhinoceros might observe
the horse upon the sky line. This he did, and we
saw him tie the horse by the bridle to the branch of
a tree below us, while he ran quickly towards the
camp. In the mean time I watched the rhinoceros;
both animals laid down in the yellow grass, resembling
masses of stone. They had not been long in this
position, before we noticed two pigs wandering
through the grass directly to windward, towards the
sleeping rhinoceros; in an instant these animals
winded the intruders, and starting up, they looked in
all directions, but could not see them, as they were
concealed by the high grass. Having been thus disturbed,
the rhinoceros moved their quarters, and
walked slowly forward, occasionally halting, and
listening; one was about a hundred yards in advance
of the other. They were taking a direction
at the base of the hill that would lead them directly
upon the spot where Tbtel was tied to the tree. I
observed this to Taher Noor, as I feared they would
kill the horse. I Oh, no,’ he replied, t they will lie
down and sleep beneath the first tree, as they are
seeking for shade—the sun is like fire.’ However,
they still continued their advance, and, upon reaching
some rising ground, the leading rhinoceros halted, and
I felt sure that he had a clear view of the horse, that
was now about five hundred yards distant, tied to the
tree. A ridge descended from the hill, parallel with
the course the animals were taking ; upon this, I ran
as quickly as the stony slope permitted, keeping my
eye fixed upon the leading rhinoceros, who with his
head raised, was advancing directly towards the horse.
I now felt convinced that he intended to attack it.
Tetel did not observe the rhinoceros, but was quietly
standing beneath the tree. I ran as fast as I was
able, and reached the bottom of the hill just as the
wilful brute was within fifty yards of the horse, which
now for the first time saw the approaching danger ;
the rhinoceros had been advancing steadily at a walk,
but he now lowered his head, and charged at the
horse at full speed.
“ I was about two hundred yards distant, and for
the moment I was afraid of shooting the horse, but
I fired one of the Reilly No. 10 rifles; the bullet,
missing the rhinoceros, dashed the sand and stones
into his face, as it struck the ground exactly before