The horses were pressed to the utmost; but we had already run
about two miles, and the game showed no signs of giving in.
On they
flew, sometimes over open ground, then through low bush, which tried the
horses severely, then through strips of open forest, until at length the
party began to tail off, and only a select few kept their places. We
arrived at the summit of a ridge, from which the ground sloped in a
gentle inclination for about a mile toward the river. At the foot of
this incline was thick thorny nabbuk jungle, for which impenetrable
covert the rhinoceroses pressed at their utmost speed.
Never was there better ground for the finish of a race. The earth was
sandy, but firm, and as we saw the winning-post in the jungle that must
terminate the hunt, we redoubled our exertions to close with the
unflagging game. Suleiman's horse gave in - we had been for about twenty
minutes at a killing pace. Tetel, although not a fast horse, was good
for a distance, and he now proved his power of endurance, as I was
riding at least two stone heavier than any of the party. Only four of
the seven remained; and we swept down the incline, Taher Sherif still
leading, and Abou Do the last! His horse was done, but not the rider;
for, springing to the ground while at full speed, sword in hand, he
forsook his tired horse, and, preferring his own legs, he ran like an
antelope, and, for the first hundred yards I thought lie would really
pass us and win the honor of first blow.
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