The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1892-03-19
1,ijNTINo 1 RliiNocEros


b sssssS s1sf Il, Isl 81
A FooIhardy Sportsman Talnss shot 10
waking Rhinoceros and Lives.
While Parker Gilmore was in Casa
Land he was one day taking an after
noon rest, when Sunday, his faithful
Zulu guide, came hurrying into the in
closure, his countenance fairly shining
with pleasurable excitement. He had
found black rhinoceros asleep in an
open glade not far from the camp. and
without waking the beast had hastened
to his master. Mr.. Gilmore donned his
shooting clothes and set out eagerly in
search of the long desired game.
He describes the fray as follows: Our
course led us through heavy timber till
the more open lands were reached. These
were skirted through grass and brush
almost up to my hips for a distance of
about 200 yards, when my attendant en-
Joined upon me the strictest silence.
From the expression of his countenance
felt sure that the game was not far
distant, and was not without fear that
the foolhardiness of my man might
bring me closer to the dangerous animal
than was desirable.
Soon we halted and listened. All was
silent to my ear except the occasional
utterance of an unknown bird-a rhi-
noceros bird, as afterward appeared
A short farther advance rewarded US
with sight Of the feathered stranger
which was about the size of the English
startling. Every few seconds it ascend
ed about twenty feet, uttered its call
and at once returned to its perch.
Just then l became aware Of new
sound. 1t resembled the heavy breath
ing of large animal when asleep. Sun
day called my attention to it by placing
his hand beside his ear, but | had al
ready heard it.
My guide again motioned me to follow
him, and l followed for several yards
Then another halt took place. Sunday
was all excitement. Still he did not lose
his self possession, for by pantomimic
action he expressed a wish that should
suhstitute new percussion caps for those
already on the nipples of my rifle.
That there was danger enough l was
thoroughly. convinced. There was
neither rock nor tree near that could
afford the least shelter if my ni1n wa
faulty and the rhinoceros chose to at
tack us However, it was case of lin
for penny, in for pound"
indicated toSunday that was ready
for the fray He broke with sharp
quick movement branch Of q bush
and almost ut the same instant the rili
noceros stood before ne, not fifteen yards
distant.
The first action ri the huge. unwieldy
beast was to turn his mead to the wind
ward. This movement prevented ny
getting the shot ! desired and | waited
for perhaps one or two minutes. Then
the ponderous head came slowly around
raised my rifle made due allowance
for the short ness. of the range and
pressed the trigger. The usual crash
ing sound announced the striking Of the
bullet, and then began scene which
beggars description.
From the moment the. rhinoceros was
struck it commenced Spinning around
without altering materially its locality,
atthe same time s1uealing in the shrill-
est tones. s. This movement mGy have
besnt the result of the. coneussion of the
bullet on the brain, or it may have
arisen from . desire to, discover from
what direection it lhla had received the in
jury. ,''' 1-..,'..,r
While this. Performance lasted it was
impossible foi me to put in the second
barrel, but at last the motions ceased
and the screams subsidized into long
drawn breathing. The wound was NOR
tall butt wished to put the creature out
Of its misery as. soon as possible, and at
the first opportunity fred again.
The result surprised ME. = The rhinoc-
eros rushed forward for ten or twelve
strides. The pace, for 80 cumbersome a
brute was astounding. Then suddenly
the whole animal machinery failed. and
the ahinaF. feH+deadGt- believe. before
the carcass was stretched upon the
ground. ,...i,..,..-. ,.............<. ;5..t,~I
! was uncommonly we'll out Of the
fray. but resolved fnr, the future to
leave black rkinoceroses alone when out