 Reference Base  To the mysterious Lorian swamp: an adventure & arduous jo... |
|
Haywood, C.W., 1927. To the mysterious Lorian swamp: an adventure & arduous journey of exploration through the vast waterless tracts of unknown Jubaland. London, Seeley, Service and Co, pp. 1-275
|
|
|
|
| |
| Location: |
Africa - Eastern Africa - Kenya |
| Subject: |
Distribution - Hunting |
| Species: |
Black Rhino |
 |
|
I got the surprise of my life. There, facing slightly away from me, and only a hundred yards off, stood a big bull rhinoceros. He was so close that I could see all the creases in his thick hide, the tufts of hair sticking out of his piggy ears, and the whitish marks where he had rubbed himself against a tree. On his back were dozens of little brown 'tick-birds,' who were busy running all over him, picking off and eating the ticks which infested his body with their sharp red beaks. Every now and then they stopped to cast bright, suspicious glances around to see if any enemy was approaching. They act as guards to the short-sighted. rhino in return for the free meals he supplies them, and he stands or lies, dozing in the heat of the day, secure in the knowledge that they will warn him by their shrill cries if they see anyone approaching from up-wind, while his own sharp nose will give him notice of anybody who comes downwind.
Very carefully I crept round the stem of my tree until I got a clear view. Very carefully I lifted my rifle, aiming at the juncture of his huge neck with his great body. 'Bang! . . .' The bullet hit with a resounding thwack. The rhino gave a tremendous snort, rushed forward about ten yards, stopped short, ploughed up the sand with his horn, then fell over-dead. All the little tickbirds flew off and sat in a neighbouring tree, chattering and scolding me as I ran up, closely followed by Ali bin Omari. At the same moment there was the sound of many running feet, and nearly all my followers came hastening up. It appeared that they had seen the rhino after I left and had stopped the caravan in order not to disturb it, as they thought I had seen and was stalking it. It was not long before they were all grouped round the dead beast, busily engaged in cutting it up. I had the horns, which were quite a fair size, cut off, but I told them to leave the head behind, as it was too
heavy to load on to our camels.
It did not take long before the hide was cut off in strips and great hunks of meat were being carried away by the men, who loaded their share on each of the camels they led. Then, as the ever-vigilant vultures swung down to partake of the remains, our caravan of camels once more set out on its way.
|
|
|
File available
details
Original text on this topic: