Los Angeles herald., 1892-04-03
FIVE CENTS.
HURTING A RtilNOCEROS.
4 Foolhardy Sportsman Takes II Shot at
u Waking Rhinoccrns nrd Livcs

"a 4 oo'hhEUy sportsman IIkeS - Shot at
IL Waking I,hinoccros 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 q 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: 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 q distance of
about 200 yards, when my attendant ell
joined upon me the strictest silence.
From the expression of his countenance
L 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 afterwarl appeared.
A short farther advance rewarded us
with a 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 it's 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 tool, place. Sunday
was all excitement. Still he did not lose
his self possession, for by pantomimic
action he expressed a wish that should
substitute new percussion caps for those
already on the nipples of my rifle.
That there was danger enough WAS
thoroughly convinced. There was
neither rock nor tree near that could
afford the least shelter if my aim was
faulty and the rhinoceros chose to at
tack us. However, it was case of ''in
for penny, in for a pound"
indicated to Sunday that was ready
for the fray. He broke with sharp,
quick movement a branch of bush,
and almost at the same instant the rhi-
noceros stood before me, not fifteen yards
distant.
The first action of the huge, unwieldy
beast was to turn his head to the wind
ward. This movement prevented my
getting the shot l desired, and | waited
for perhaps one Or two minutes. Then
the ponderous 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 a scene which
beggars description.
From the moment the rhinOceros was
struck it commenced spinning around
without altering materially its locality
at the Same time squealing i'll the shrill
est tones. This movement may have
been the result Of the concu5sicn Of the
bullet on the brain, or it may have
arisen from desire to discover from
what direction it had received the in
jury.
While this performance lasted it was
impossible for me to put in the second
barrel, but at last the motions ceased
and the screams subsided into long
drawn breathing. The wound was NOR
tai, but l wished TO put the creature out
of its misery as soon as possible, and ut
the first opportunity fired again.
The result surprised me. The rhinoc-
eros rushed forward for ten or twelve
strides. The pace, for SD cumbersome a
brute was astounding. Then suddenly
the whole animal machinery failed, ard
the animal fell-dead, | believe, before
| the carcass was stretched upon the
| ground.
l was uncoinmonly we'll out of the
| fray, but l resolved for the future to
| leave black rhinoceroscs alone when ont
| in the open, with no cover within reach.
Repartec in the Classroom.
A member of the Harvard class of
| 1860 is responsible for the following:
The elucidator of the mysteries of
chemistry was then Professor Job Cook,
a very sedate man and never intention
ally guilty of joke.
One day, in q recitation, he said to a
student, "Mr. Slack how do you slack
liner
The student, supposing the pun upon
his name to be intentional, answered
quick as a flash, Cook it, sir.
OF course the class roared, but in
stead of enjoying the apt repartee the
professor took it as personal affront
| and renortad Mr. Slack for q renrimand