The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1906-08-29
CHAPTER II.
Continued.

the ground. sroaned and died.
This little matter having been at
tended to, I, with the assistance of
Gobo, who had now found his feet,
went on to eXtricate our unfortunate
companion from the aloe bush.
This we found a thorny task, but at
last he was dragged forth uninjured.
though in very pious and prayerful
frame of mind.
His spirit had certainly looked that
way" he said, or he would now have
been dead.
AS never like to interfere with true
piety. I did not venture to suggest that
his spirit had deigned to make use Of
my eight-bore in his interest.
Having dispatched this boy back to
the camp to tell the bearers to come
and cut that buffalo up, 1 bethought
me that I owed that rhinoceres a
grudge which should love to repay.
So, without saying n word of what
was in my m:nd to Gobo, who was now
more than ever convinced that fate
walked about loose in Wambes coun-
try, just followed on his spoor.
He had crashed through the bush till
he reached the little glade.
Then, moderating his pace some
what, he had followed the glade down
its entire length, and once more turned
to the right, through the forest, shap-
ing his course for the open land that
ho{r hn Of Va Inch md
the river.
Having followed him for n mile or so
farther, I found myself quite on the
open. I took out my glass and searched
the plain.
About mile ahead was something
brown-as thought. the rhinoceros. l
advanced another quarter of mile and
looked once more-it was not the rhi-
nocerOs, but big ant-heap.
This was puzzling, but did not like
to give it up, because I knew from his
spoor that he must be somewhat ahead.
But as the wind was blowing straight
from me toward the line that lie had
followed, and as rhnoceros can smell
you for about a mile, it would not, l
felt, be safe to follow his spoor any
farther. .,.
So I made a detour of mile and
more, until nearly opposite the ant
heap; then once more searched the
plain.
1t was no good; 1 could see nothing
of him, and was about to give it up
and start after some oryX l saw in
the distance, when suddenly, at dis
tGnce of about three hundred yards
from the ant-heap. and on its farther
side, I saw my rhino stand up in
patch of grass.
Heavensr' I thought to myself,
she's off again."
But no: after standing staring for q
minute or two, lie once more lay down.
Now found myself in Quandary.
As you know. a rhin0ceroS is very
short-sighted brute; indeed his sight
is as bad as his scent is good.
Of this fact he is perfectly aware,
but he always makes the most Of his
natural gifts.
For instance. when he lies down he
invariably does so with his head down
wind.
Thus if any enemy crosses his wind,
he will still be able to escape or at-
tack him. and if. on the other hand. the
danger approaches up wind, he will at
least have q chance Of seeing it.
Otherwise one might. by walking del
icately. actually kick him up like 4
partridge if only the advance was
made up wind.
Well. the point was how on earth
should l get within shot of this rhi
noceros.
After much deliberation determined
to try side advance. thinking that /
might so get shoulder shot.
Accordingly we started in a crouch
ing attitude, first, Goho holding OIL
to my coat-tails. and the other boy
-on to Gobo's moocha.
I always adopt this plan when stalk
ing big game. for if you follow any
other system the bearers will get out
of line
We got to within three hundred yards
right enough, and then the real Difficult
ties began.
The grass had been so closely eaten
off by game that there was scarcely
any cover.
Consequently it was necessary to go
on our hands and knees, which in my
case in volved laying down the eight
bore at every step and then lifting it
up again.
However, I wriggled along somehow,
and if it had not been for Gobo and his
friend no doubt everything would have
gone well.
But as you have, I dare say. OBJ
served. 4 native out stalking is always
of that mind which is supposed to ac-
tuate an octrich.
So long as his head is hidden he
seems to think that nothing else can
be seen.
So it was in this instance; Gobo and
the other boy crept along Oh their
hands and toes. with their heads well
down. but though unfortunately I did
not notice it till too late, bearing the
fundamental portions of their frames
high in the air.
Now all animals are quite as sus-
picious of this eLd of mankind as
they are o. his face, and of this fact
soon had proof.
Just when we had got within about
two hundred yards. and l was con-