ock
beyond was quite steep. A lion was creeping towards the rock, to catch
the male zebra which brought up the rear of the herd. The lion sprang
and missed his mark; he fell short, with only his head over the edge of
the rock, and the zebra galloped away, switching his tail in the air.
Although the object of his pursuit was gone, the lion tried the leap on
the rock a second and a third time, till he succeeded. During this, two
more lions came up and joined the first lion. They seemed to be
talking, for they roared a great deal to each other and then the first
lion led them round the rock again and again. Then he made another
grand leap, to show them what he and they must do another time.' The
chief added, `They evidently were talking to each other, but I could not
understand a word of what they said, although they talked loud enough;
but I thought it was as well to be off; or they might have some talk
about me.'"

"Well, they certainly do not whisper," said the Major, laughing. "Thank
you for that story, Swinton, and now for the rhinoceros-hunt."

"I was once out hunting with a Griqua, of the name of Henrick, and two
or three other men; we had wounded a springbok, and were following its
track, when we came upon the footing of a rhinoceros, and shortly
afterwards we saw a large black male in the bush."

"You mention a black rhinoceros; is there any other?"

"Yes, there is a white rhinoceros, as it is called, larger than the
black, but not so dangerous. It is in fact a stupid sort of animal.
The black rhinoceros, as you are aware, is very fierce. Well, to
continue: Henrick slipped down behind a bush, fired, and wounded the
animal severely in the fore-leg. The rhinoceros charged, we all fled,
and the animal, singling out one of our men, closely pursued him; but
the man, stopping short, while the horn of the rhinoceros ploughed up
the ground at his heels, dexterously jumped on one side. The rhinoceros
missed him and passed on in full speed, and before the brute could
recover himself and change his course, the whole of us had climbed up
into trees. The rhinoceros, limping with his wound, went round and
round, trying to find us out by the scent, but he tried in vain. At
last, one of the men, who had only an assaguay, said, `Well, how long
are we going to stay here? Why don't you shoot?'

"`Well,' said Henrick, `if you are so anxious to shoot, you may if you
please. Here is my powder-and-shot belt, and my g