The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-10-04
1.-THE QUEEREST THING | EVER Saw.
Ny QUEEREsT HUNTING EXPERIENCES
BY FREDERICK C. SELous.

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black rhinoceros Of the interior of South
Africa was ever of so aggressive a nature
as he appears TO be in many districts of
East Africa to-day, though wounded one
was always likely to become savage
Once in 1873, when camped on the bor-
ders of the hills which skirt the southern
bank of the Zambesi to the east of Victoria
falls, white rhinoceros came TO inspect
my camp about an hour after dark. 1 had
had my evening meal. and was sitting talk
ing by CHEEKY log fire to one of my native
attendants-for L had white companion
when we heard a rhinoceros snort not far
away, and soon afterwards, by the light
of young moon, we perceived one Of these
animals slowly approaching camp. I
told my boys to keep quiet, and we then sat
watching our visitor. 1t advanced very
slowly, holding it's great square nose close
to the ground. and every now and then
stopped and snorted loudly. At last IL was
within twenty yards of fires, and
seemed determined TO come closer still.
Several of my Kafirs had by this time
crept round to the back of the bushes
which sheltered our camp and made for the
nearest tree, whilst my favorite gun-car-
rier put my big four-bore elephant gun into
my hands, and begged me TO shoot the in
quisitive beast. before il charged in
amongst us. But in those days 1
hunting elephants for a living. and as We
were camped near a favorite drinking
place Of these animals and a shot In the
night might have disturbed a herd APP
preaching the water, / was determined not
to fire at the rhinoceros il could possibly
avoid doing so. However. something had TO
be done to stop II, as / was afraid that IL
il came any nearer the smell OF meat might
excite IL, and cause IL to amuck
through the camp: so plucking a good
sized piece Of wood from the fire. 1 threw
it with all my strength. and. just missing
the rhinooeros's great ugly head. hit III on
the neck or shoulder, and covered IL with
a shower OF sparks. AS the blazing brand
fell TO the ground, the rhinoceros backed a
step or two and then seemed TO be sniffing
at It. At this moment my gnn-carrier
hurled another lump OF burning wood at
our visitor. with somewhat better aim
than mine, for he struck IL fun in the face
apparently right on the 'front.' horn-and lit
up its head with a cataract Of sparks This
was more than the rhinocsfos could stand.
and its curiosity being evidently fully salts
fed. it spun round with snort and trot-
ted of into the night. nor did 1t ever visit
our camp again.
But the queerest experience 1 think /
ever had with a rlnnoceros was one which
happened not far from the scene OF the last
adventure. and during the same year. Not
having come across elephants for some
time, my hafirs aud l were just out OF
meat, when Vie came one day on the fresh
~
following the spoor for short distance We
suddenly kighted the animals themselves
lying doTP in rather open. grassy piece
OF country. We all crcuched down Instant
~ and as the rhinoceroses never moved.
and the wind was favorable, it was soon
evident that they had neither seen nor