“No, I would not to-day, my boy. ‘Discretion,’ you know, is the better part of valour, and the horses are overdone as it is. We shall know where to go another time, so let it rest for the present.”
“But that great brute will be rushing out at us at all sorts of times,” said Jack.
“Then you must keep the better look out. If you fire at it again, you must aim before the shoulder, mind; take him as he’s coming, if you don’t feel too nervous.”
Jack looked at his father, and then at Dick, and then they both laughed.
“Well father, it does make you feel queer to have that great brute thundering down upon you,” said Dick.
“You would be curious beings if you did not,” said Mr Rogers, laughing. “But you must take care, boys, for the rhinoceros is a very dangerous beast; and it will charge at anything, even at a tree if it is in its way.”
“Ha! ha! ha! ha! ha!” laughed Jack.
“What are you laughing at?” said his father.
“I was just thinking that I should like to see that great brute after Dinny, and Dinny scuffling up a tree to get out of its way.”
“Yes, it would be good fun,” said Dick; “but I should like Dinny to have a good start.”