Following elephant tracks, rhino paths, and occasionally native footpaths, I was making my way to the east to strike the Nile between Wadelai and Dufile when I had an unpleasant experience among the Lugwara. The period, by the way, I remember well, as during our marches we saw Halley's comet, which was very brilliant in that part of the country. While camped in an open glade surrounded by the forest, I was visited by two white rhinos who came within a couple of yards of the camp fire, the man on guard awaking me so that I had a very fine view of them, particularly as it was bright moonlight. They had magnificent heads, but I refrained from shooting, as I was unable to carry another load, having already discarded chop boxes of provisions to make room for ivory.
Following elephant tracks, rhino paths, and occasionally native footpaths, I was making my way to the east to strike the Nile between Wadelai and Dufile when I had an unpleasant experience among the Lugwara. While camped in an open glade surrounded by the forest, I was visited by two white rhinos who came within a couple of yards of the camp fire, the man on guard awaking me so that I had a very fine view of them, particularly as it was bright moonlight. They had magnificent heads, but I refrained from shooting, as I was unable to carry another load, having already discarded chop boxes of provisions to make room for ivory.
Another day, with the aid of the shenzis, I caught a young white rhino, but not having the wherewithal to feed it, I afterwards let it go.
Near banks of river Nile. A rhino came within a few yards of us during the night, and, in spite of our showing him, would not go away, so I was forced to let drive my heavy gun in his direction, which had the required effect, as we heard him lumbering off.
I have found with rhino that if the wind is right one can go practically right up to them, and also, as with all dangerous game, that the closer one can get to them the better and safer it is, as one can then be more sure of one's shot. I call to mind a rather peculiar instance concerning rhino, which happened whilst manoeuvring to get a shot at a bull elephant who was amongst a herd of others. A very inquisitive rhino would come close up and stare at us, and as I could not get out of the beast's way, and not wanting to shoot him, having my eye on the tusker in the herd, I motioned to one of the shenzi trackers who usually accompanied me on my hunting to pick up a large stick about as thick as one's wrist, conveying that I wanted him to hit the rhino while I covered it with my rifle. The native, tumbling to the idea, gave the rhino a tremendous blow with the stick, which had the effect of so startling the animal that it went off at full lick for about a hundred yards, when it stopped, staring at the place it had come from and no doubt very puzzled. This gave me my chance, and I was able to get the elephant.
I call to mind a rather peculiar instance concerning rhino, which happened whilst maneuvering to get a shot at a bull elephant who was amongst a herd of others. A very inquisitive rhino would come close up and stare at us, and as I could not get out of the beast's way, and not wanting to shoot him, having my eye on the tusker in the herd, I motioned to one of the shenzi trackers who usually accompanied me on my hunting to pick up a large stick about as thick as one's wrist, conveying that I wanted him to hit the rhino while I covered it with my rifle.
In Sudan. Another day, with the aid of the shenzis, I caught a young white rhino, but not having the wherewithal to feed it, I afterwards let it go.
