Page 125 - Adventures in Africa

right through the elephant's heart. The huge creature
fell over, pressing the rhinoceros to the ground.
Leaping back Toko again loaded, and Harry ad­

vancing they fired together into the body of the sur­
vivor, which after giving a few tremendous struggles,
sank down dead.

The battle over, Harry proposed carrying me at
once to the campf and then returning to bring away
the elephant's tusks, the lion's skin, and as much of
the meat of the two first animals as was required for

the use of the party. I was very thankful to accept
his offer, as I wanted to get my ankle looked to,

having an uncomfortable fear that it was broken, in
which case my hunting would be put a stop to for
many a week to come. He and Toko were not long
in manufacturing a litter to carry me, by means of

two long poles, on their shoulders. Having placed
me on it they set off for the camp. Fortunately we
had not very far to go. I hoped that in the mean

time we should meet with neither elephants nor
lions.
Only under rare circumstances are rhinoceroses to

be dreaded, for they are generally mild and well-
disposed creatures, and usually take to flight when
they come in sight of human beings.

AVe had gone about half-way, when a lion, bursting
out from a thicket close by, stalked across the path
some distance ahead. My bearers placed me on the

ground and handled their rifles,
“ We'll stand by and defend you, don’t be alarmed,"
cried Harry.

“ I’m not afraid of your running away,1' I answered,