The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1905-05-18


My love of pig game shooting has led
me TO all parts of the world in search
OF it, amongst other places 10 the coun
try around the Waso Nyiro River. in
East Africa, where rhinoceroses
abound. After long march through
a more than desolate country, inhab'
tied by Superstitious natives who tell
blood curdling stories about witches,
vampires, and such like pleasant folk,
We camped one evening on slope
near some trees.
Two friends OF mine who had accom-
panied me on my race round the Dark
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES de Rubempre and
Bevis O'Sullivan, both Of them splendid
sportsmen-shared one small fire with
me, while our carriers and other at
tendants made merry little distance
away.
I was sleeping the sleep Of the just
after a meal off delicious rhinoceroS
tongue when was suddenly awakened
by hideous yell. Sitting up, 1 saw
De Rubempre and O'Sullivan come
dashing along in very. scanty attire.
running as if they were competing for
a championship. As they passed me
they shouted something-what / could
not gather. Astounded, gazed round
in a dazed, half-sleepy fashion, and
presently saw my flying friends take
refuge behind the sycamore trees which
shaded the camp. Looking in the op-
posite direction, / was horrified to see
a huge rhinoceroS moving brskly about
at the other end Of the camp. Need
less to say. hurriedly got out of bed.
I was too sleepy and dazed to think Of
weapons, and was about 10 join my
friends among the trees when the
rhinoceros, with an odd little jump.
disappeared in the bushes, leaving one
of our fires stamped out and some of
the packs knocked as fiat as pam
cakes.
The excitement gradually subsided
after the departure of the huge ami
NAL, and once more slumber fell upon
the camp. But it was apparently de-
creed that our peace was to be dis
turbed continually during that night.
for had just gone to sleep again and
was dreaming of shooting rhinoceroses
with one shot each. like pheasants.
-wben heard my name pronounced in
gEostly whisper. Opening my eyes,
saw De Rubempre being over me.
WHAT'S the matter?" / asked, Sleep
jly.
Look. mani" he murmured. excited
IL: >The rhinoceroS is returning with his
whole family"
"Oh. bother the rhinoceros" said,
turning over lazily; but the Frenchman
shook me until sat up-with very bad
grace. Not far off, clearly visible in the
bright moonlight, 1 beheld whole
herd ofsrhinoceroses, apparently exam
lining the camp. Their looks did not
please me. and, rising to my feet, l
sratched up my gun. I discovered,
however. that with the deceptive light
it was impossible to aim with any GER
tainty. Moreover, / reflected that If
once the great brutes became infuriat-
ed and charged down on the camp, the
Zulu saying, You shall be stamped
fat" would not only be tiguratively,
but literally, exemplifed.
don't think l have ever been so un-
easy as at that moment, for I felt
helpless before this mighty avalanche
OF flesh and bone, which the least acci-
dent might send rolling irresistibly to-
wards us. De Rubempre saw the dan
ger, too; and although he has proved
mis- bravery over and over again, he
paled, and anxiously looked ut the
trees. O'Sullivan only, with his in
fectious Irish gaiety, did not for a
minute think of the danger.
Presently we detected movement
amongst the herd: the huge brutes
seemed to be lining up in some sort of
order.
Looks as though they were going
to reproduce the charge of Balaclava"'
observed the irrepresSible OSullivan,
and I was inclined to agree with him
For half an hour tie rhinoceroses
came no nearer. although they moved
round and round us in clumsy circles
The scene was strikingly weird-those
hulking grey bodies fitting through the
darkness all about us.
Suddenly there was shrek OF
~Faruw from our natives, and with one
accord they made for the trees. The
ponderous animals were charging down
towards the camp.
"Here come the gallant six hundred"
observed O'Sullivan, ard hurricdly
SWUNG himself into a tree. The French
man and l also ciambered up and got
our heavy guns ready.
O'Sullivan was literally bubblina
over with gaiety. in spite Of the seri
Ousncss of the situation.
-.Hooroow he yelled, as the great
brutes came tearing through The brush
wood, leaving clear space behind
them. Here come the road-makers.
~And here goes the grave-maker,
said De Rubempre. coolly taking aim
with his rifle resting on branch. Or
cana the monsters at numbering gal
gop. "a shot rang out and down went
a heavy mass, raising a thick cloud OF
grey dust and shaking the ground.
..Eravo. Good snotr' shouted O'Sul
Evan. Your turn, Schembeck."
L had been aiming already, and when
he spoke pressed the trigger, but as
dred the brute I was aiming Al