"A saddle-rhinoceros would certainly be a novelty," the other lady answered, "but I don't think it would be of much use for hunting-purposes. On seeing its kindred it might dart off and carry you among them, without giving you a chance to slip from the saddle and escape. One's life wouldn't be worth much in a herd of these creatures."
CHAPTER XVIII.
TRANSPORTING A YOUNG RHINOCEROS—HARRY AND JACK IN
LOVE—ANIMAL INTELLIGENCE—JACK'S BOAT.
"Well," said Miss Boland, after a moment's pause, "I'll accept him, with many thanks, and use him as the basis of a menagerie. We'll keep him as long as we can around the kraal, and it is possible that we'll be able to take him to Walvisch Bay on our return. It will give him a chance to see something of the world; I judge from his youthful appearance that he has never traveled far away from home, and he may yet have an opportunity to visit the Tower of London."
"Or, more likely, the Zoological Garden," said Jack. "He will feel more at home there than in the Tower, as no wild animals have been kept there for many and many a year."
"Oh, I may get up a show of my own; and should I do so, it will be pleasant to remember its origin. This young rhinoceros will be an excellent beginning; but I think you're going to have a hard time to get him to our camp."
"Oh, not at all," said I; "we'll show you how it will be done."
While the conversation was going on I spied a troop of hartbeest about a mile away from us, toward the east. Accompanied by Mirogo and Kalil, I made a circuit in their direction, coming in under the cover of some bushes, and then stalking up to the herd to single out one of the largest. I got close up to him, and finished him with a single shot. Then I had Mirogo remove his skin, while I went slowly back to where the young rhinoceros was still surrounded by the group.
Meantime the Kafirs had arrived. Under my directions the after-rider tied the feet of the young rhino—tied them firmly, so that he could not move; then he laid him, with his back downward, in the skin of the hartbeest, and finally slung the skin, by means of holes cut along its edge, on a stout pole. Three Kafirs took each end of this pole on their shoulders; they were six in all, and thus had a weight of only fifty pounds each to carry, which is a mere trifle for a Kafir. Raising the pole to their shoulders, they went off at a swinging pace; and thus we demonstrated to our friends how a young rhinoceros could be transported. The fellow kept up a tremendous squealing all the time, and evidently did not like that mode of travel; yet it was not a question of his like or dislike, but of finding him a suitable home after his unfortunate bereavement.
We accompanied the ladies until we were in sight of their camp. Then, as the hour was getting late, we turned in the direction of our own wagons, and rode for them at a smart canter, reaching home just about dusk.