The weekly Thibodaux sentinel and journal of the 8th Senatorial District. [volume] (Thibodaux, Lna. [i.e. La.]) 1875-1898, 1892-04-02
HUNTING A RHlNOCERO3.
4 Foolhardy Sportsman Takes a Shot at
"a Waking Rhinoceros and Lives.

a Foolhardy Sportsman Takes a Shot at
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 h~urrying into the in
closure, his countenance fairly shining
with pleasurable excitement. He had
found a black ~rhinoceros asleep in an
open glade not far from the camp, and
without waking the beast had FASTENED
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: Oul
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 strictcst silence.
From the expression Of his counienance
I felt SURE that the game was not ia,
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
utteT&ace Of an unknown lii "A rL--
noceros bird, as afterWaTl appeared.
A short farther advance rewarded US
with a sight of the fcAthc?"d stranger.
which wa about the size Of he English
starting. Every few seconds t ascend
ed about twenty fee. uttered its cal
and # once returned to is pegch.
Just then / became awarepf a new
sound. Ii resembled the a"3Yy breath
Ing Of a large animal when asleep. SuL-
day called my attention to it II placing
his hand beside MS ear. but | had al
ready heard it.
Ny guide again motioned met to follow
him, and | followed for several yards.
Then another halt took place. Sunday
was all excitement. Sui he did not lose
his self possession, for by pantonli1nic
action he expressed a wish that | should
substitute new percussion caps for those
already on the nipples Of my rifle.
That tla-e Wa5 DANG enough was
thoroughly convinced. There was
neither rock nor tree near that could
afford the least shelter II my aim was
faulty and the rhincceros chose to at
tack us. However. j, was a case Of in
for a penny, in for q pound"
Indicated toSuLd.y that / was ready
for the fray. lie broke with Il sharp,
quick movement a branch of a bush,
and almost at the same instant the rhl-
noceros stood before ne, not fifteen yards
distant.
The first action Of the huge, unwieldy
beast was to turn his head 10 the wind
ward. This movement prevented my
getting the shot ! desired. ard ! waited
for perhaps one Or two minutes. Then
the ponaerous head came slowly around.
I raised my rifle, made due allowance
for the shortness Of the range and
pressed the trigger. The usual crash
ing sound announced the striking Of the
bullet. and then began Il scene which
begsars description.
From the moment the rhinoceros was
struck It commenced spinning around
without altering materially is locality,
at the same time sqEealing il the @slrill-
est tones. This movement may have
been the result Of the conclusion Of the
bullet on the brain. or it may have
arisen from u desire 70 discover from
what direction it had received the III
jury.
While this performance Lasted it wa,
impossible for me to put i'll the second
barrel. but at last tie motions ceased
and the screams subsidized into lone
drawn breathing. Tho worHa was mor
tai. bat | wished to put tAe e4tul out
of is misery us soon rs possible. and al
the first opportunity Grci again.
Tie result surprised !n,. Tho .hino>
eros rushed forward fur ten Or twelve
strides. The pace, for 50 cumbersome 3
brute was astounding. Then Suddenly
the whole animal ~Iacl.-cl! failed. an
the animal fell-dead, believe. beforl
the carcass was stretched upon Tx
ground.
| was uncommonly veil ont Of The
fray. but | resolved fnr the future L
leave black rhinoceroS2s alone when ont
in the open, with no cover within reach
~Eepartee in the Classroom.