the intention of taking refuge there. Tom
observed this, and made a detour in order to get between them and the
wood. This made it necessary to put on a spurt to regain lost distance,
but on such ground the speed was dangerous. He neared one of the
animals, however, and was standing up in his stirrups, intent on taking
a flying shot, when his horse suddenly put his foot in a hole, and fell
so violently that he rolled heels over head several times like a hare
shot in full career. Fortunately his rider was sent out of the saddle
like a rocket, and fell a considerable distance ahead, and out of the
way of the rolling horse. A friendly bush received him and saved his
neck, but tore his coat to tatters. Jumping up, he presented at the
giraffe, which was galloping off about two hundred yards ahead. In the
fall the barrel of his rifle had been so covered with dead leaves and
dust that he could not take aim. Hastily wiping it with his sleeve, he
presented again and fired. The ball hit the giraffe on the hip, but it
failed to bring him down. A second shot, however, broke his leg, and
the stately animal rolled over. Before Tom reached him he was dead.

Thus the travellers were supplied with a sufficiency of meat for some
days, and they pushed steadily forward without paying attention to the
game, which happened to be very plentiful in that district, as their
great desire was to get out of the unhealthy region as quickly as
possible. Sometimes, however, they were compelled to shoot in
self-defence.

Upon one occasion, while Mafuta was looking for water in the bush, he
was charged by a black rhinoceros, and had a very narrow escape. Tom
Brown was within sight of him at the time, engaged also in looking for
water. He heard the crash of bushes when the monster charged, and
looking hastily round, saw Mafuta make a quick motion as if he meant to
run to a neighbouring tree, but the rhinoceros was so close on him that
there was no time.

"Quick, man!" shouted Tom, in an agony of alarm as he ran to the rescue,
for the Caffre had no gun.

But Mafuta, instead of taking this advice, suddenly stood stock still,
as if he had been petrified!

Tom threw forward his rifle, intending, in desperation, to try the
effect of a long shot, although certain that it was impossible to kill
the rhinoceros even if he should hit, while the risk of killing his
faithful servant was very great. Before he had time to fire, however,
the animal