This large, but peevish pachyderm (To use a scientific term), Though commonly herbivorous, Is eminently dangerous. It may be just the creature’s play; But people who have felt it say That when he prods you with his horn You wish you never had been born. As I was dozing in the sun, Without a cartridge to my gun, Upon a sultry day, Absorbed in somnolescent bliss, Just such an animal as this Came charging where I lay. My only refuge was to fly, But flight is not for me![5] Blood happened to be standing by, He darted up a tree And shouted, “Do your best to try And fix him with the Human Eye.” [5] Besides, I found my foot was caught In twisted roots that held it taut. Between a person and a beast (But for the Human Eye at least) The issue must be clear. The tension on my nerves increased, And yet I felt no fear. Nay, do not praise me--not at all-- Courage is merely physical, And several people I could name Would probably have done the same. I kept my glance extremely firm, I saw the wretched creature squirm; A look of terror over-spread Its features, and it dropped down dead. At least, I thought it did, And foolishly withdrew my gaze, When (finding it was rid Of those mysterious piercing rays) It came to life again. It jumped into the air, and came With all its might upon my frame. (Observe the posture of the hoof. The wire and black support that look So artificial in the proof Will be deleted in the book.) It did it thirty separate times; When, luckily for all these rhymes, Blood shot the brute--that is to say, Blood shot, and then it ran away. [Illustration ** Stuffed rhinoceros trampling a man in front of a tropical backdrop.] IX. We journeyed on in single file; The march proceeded mile on mile Monotonous and lonely, We saw (if I remember right) The friendly features of a white On two occasions only. The first was when our expedition Came suddenly on a commission, Appointed to determine Whether the thirteenth parallel Ran right across a certain well, Or touched a closely neighbouring tree; And whether elephants should be Exterminated all as “game,” Or, what is not at all the same, Destroyed as common vermin.