his nose, when he appeared to be just into the unfortunate
Tdtel. The horse in the same instant reared,
and, breaking the bridle, it dashed away in the direction
of the camp, while the rhinoceros, astonished
at the shot, and most likely half blinded by the sand
and splinters of rock, threw up his head, turned
round, and trotted back upon the track by which
he had arrived. He passed me at about a hundred
yards’ distance, as I had run forward to a bush, by
which he trotted with his head raised, seeking for
the cause, of his discomfiture. Crack! went a bullet
against his hide, as I fired my remaining barrel at
his shoulder; he cocked his tail, and for a few yards
he charged towards the shot; but he suddenly
changed his course, and ran round several times in
a small circle ; he then halted, and reeling to and fro,
he retreated very slowly, and laid down about a
hundred yards off. Well done, Reilly! I knew that
he had his quietus, but I was determined to bag his
companion, who in alarm had now joined him, and
stood looking in all quarters for the source of danger
but we were well concealed behind the bush.
Presently, the wounded rhinoceros stood up, and
walking very slowly, followed by his comrade, he
crossed a portion of rising ground at the base of the
hill, and both animals disappeared. I at once started
off Hassan, who could run like an antelope, in search
of Tdtel, while I despatched another man to the
summit of the peak to see if the rhinoceros were
in view; if not, I knew they must be among the
small trees and bushes at the foot of the hill. I
thus waited for a long time, until at length the two
greys, Aggahr and Gazelle, arrived with my messenger
from the camp. I tightened the girths of the Arab
saddle upon Aggahr, and I had just mounted, cursing
all Arab stirrups, that are only made for the naked
big toe, when my eyes were gladdened by the sight
of Hassan cantering towards me upon Tetel, but from
the exact direction the rhinoceros had taken. ‘ Quick!
quick! ’ he cried, ‘ come along! One rhinoceros is
lying dead close by, and the other is standing beneath
a tree not far off.’
“ I immediately jumped on Tetel, and, taking the
little Fletcher rifle, as lighter and handier than the
heavy No. 10, I ordered Taher Noor and Hassan to
mount the other horses, and to follow me with spare
rifles. I found the rhinoceros lying dead about two
hundred yards from the spot where he had received
the shot, and I immediately perceived the companion,
that was standing beneath a small tree. The ground
was firm and stony, all the grass had been burnt off,
except in a few small patches; the trees were not so
thick together as to form a regular jungle.
“ The rhinoceros saw us directly, and he valiantly
stood and faced me as I rode up within fifty yards
of him. Tdtel is worth his weight in gold as a
shooting horse: he stands like a rock, and would
face the devil. I was unable to take a shot in
this position, therefore I ordered the men to ride
round a half-circle, as I knew the rhinoceros would