At length, frightened by the destruction of their companions, the remainder of the herd retreated, and we, leaving the bodies until next morning, returned to our tent.
As Harry and I were pretty well knocked up with our exertions of the previous day, we remained encamped while natives were employed in bringing in the tusks.
After breakfast we strolled out with our guns, hoping to get some wild fowl in the marsh, for we were somewhat tired of feeding on elephant’s flesh.
We had killed several birds, and on our way back we stopped to look at the horses and quagga, which were feeding in perfect harmony. The latter having a bandage round its eyes, and it being hobbled, Harry went up to it, and spoke gently in its ear.
“Take care!” I exclaimed, “he’ll give you an ugly bite.”
As I spoke the quagga turned his head and very nearly caught him by the arm.
It was a lesson to Harry not to pet his favourite in future, and I advised that he should muzzle it until its temper should become softened.
We were standing talking, when suddenly the horses began to prance and kick up their heels.
“Hallo! what are those?” exclaimed Harry, turning round.
We then saw, emerging from the marsh, where they had been wallowing, a couple of huge rhinoceroses, who seemed to look upon the horses and us as intruders they had a right to drive off their domains.