ch excited
Pousa's highest admiration, and also a certain amount of apprehension
when, of set purpose, I casually mentioned my conviction that I could
drive the blade through the best scale armour that the Bandokolo could
produce. "Shining stones", also, it seemed, were fairly abundant, but
they had no particular use for these excepting as adornments, the stones
being admired because of the extreme brilliancy with which they
reflected light and colour.

We had been trekking a little more than an hour when, suddenly, without
the least warning, an enormous two-horned rhinoceros hove himself up out
of the long grass about a hundred and fifty yards in front of us, and
stood regarding us doubtfully, with his little eyes gleaming and his
tail switching angrily. At this unexpected apparition we all drew
bridle, as with one accord, to await developments, while I quickly
unslung my rifle and prepared for action. I could not help noticing
that Pousa viewed the creature with considerable trepidation, while as
for the troopers in our rear, with one accord they wheeled their zebras,
with the evident intention of making a bolt if necessary. And that it
would be necessary soon became evident, for rhino, instead of being
alarmed at our imposing display of force, and making himself scarce, was
clearly annoyed at our presumption in daring to disturb him; and
presently he lowered his head and, with loud squeals of rage, came
charging straight down upon us, whereupon our escort incontinently dug
their heels into the ribs of their frightened zebras and dashed off,
scattering in all directions, to my intense amusement. But the wagon
was not very far in our rear, and if rhino were allowed to get past us,
and should choose to attack it, he might easily play havoc with my
diminished team of oxen; therefore, hastily dismounting, lest Prince,
despite his training, should flinch and swerve at the critical moment
and so spoil my aim, I raised my rifle to my shoulder, and, waiting
until the now thoroughly exasperated beast was within ten yards of me,
fired and sent a bullet through his right eye into the brain, bowling
him over like a rabbit. Then, quickly reloading my rifle, I quietly
waited for Pousa to rejoin me, which he presently did, after re-forming
his scattered command, without seeming to be in the slightest degree
abashed at his desertion of me.

Approaching me with considerable circumspection, as I stood over the
fallen brute, wit