Page 53 of In the Heat of the Jungle

“Why?” Leigh inquired.

“People in the Middle and Far East believe a rhino horn has magical and medicinal traits. The Yemen make knife handles from them. One horn fetches thousands of dollars, so poachers love them.”

“What’s the difference between a black rhino and a white one?”

“Not color, Chad. It’s the shape of their mouths. Black rhino have hook-lips. They’re prized the most. That’s what you’ll want.”

At the edge of a clearing, an elephant had stopped to scratch his side on a tree. The rubbing sound seemed loud in the quiet setting. The tree moved, despite its thick size. The bulky animal was mud-splattered to discourage insect attacks. The creature shook his head, causing his long trunk to sway back and forth. It looked around with gentle eyes, and flapped its oversize ears to cool itself.

Jace lifted his hand and motioned for caution. “When he stops waving his ears, take care. That means he’s nervous. He can run over you without stopping and crush you flat.”

Slowly and gingerly they slipped into scrub woodlands. “A rhino always charges in a straight line,” Jace whispered, “so don’t get in front of him. You’ll never escape that deadly horn. I’ve seen men run clear through, then mutilated and trampled. Don’t hurt yourself by running into a thicket to escape or hide; it offers no barrier to him. He’ll crash through thornbushes as if they weren’t there, but you’ll be snagged and trapped. At first sight, you’ll think he’s clumsy, but he isn’t. He can stop and turn faster than you can blink. He’s unpredictable and fearless. Even the Masai, who’ll grab a man-eating lion by the tail, fear only the rhino. Do I make myself clear?”

“Crystal,” Louisa wailed. “I’d rather be in camp.”

“Just do as I’ve said and you’ll be fine,” Jace coaxed. “This first shot is Chad’s. Reid, you’re backup man. If you both miss, it’s me and Johi. Once we challenge him, somebody has to take him down. Then, the kill has to be marked on somebody’s license. The women will hang back with the bearers this time. They’re all tribal huntsmen and safari trained, so they know what to do. I’ve talked to you plenty for the past few days, so keep in mind what I’ve said.”

Grasslands loomed before them. Several giraffes roamed near flat-topped acacias, stretching their long necks to feed in the high branches. Near a cluster of thornbushes, Jace pointed to a browsing rhino, a black one. They halted and came to alert.

The grayish-brown brute was larger than Leigh imagined. An attendant egret and tick-birds perched on a back that displayed lumps along the spine. His skin reminded her of unskillfully tanned cowhide that was old and crinkled. His flared ears resembled soup bowls. His large nostrils increased in size with each breath of air taken, which was hot and dry today. His small, beady eyes had numerous wrinkles surrounding them. Two horns protruded on his snout. One was short and straight, the other long, thick, and curved. Jace told them it was razor sharp for battling and digging.

The sky was clear. They were engulfed by a green-and-gold landscape, the area smelling like prairie grass during autumn. Still air was filled with tension and suspense. Chad quivered with anticipation and studied the beast. The three women hung back with several bearers and observed the sight. Jace unslung his weapon, then motioned Chad and Reid forward. Johi followed without a sound.

The cantankerous animal did not hear or smell them as Jace closed the distance from upwind. The grassy surface smothered the sound of their boots. Birds walked up and down the rhino’s back, pecking at ticks in the heavy skin folds. The birds were also the alarm-givers for the rhino. Jace had revealed—that on sighting or hearing them—the birds would dart upward, give shrill cries, and head toward the hunters as if to reveal their hiding place to their host.

With his gaze glued ahead, Reid stepped on a rock, causing him to stumble. The carbine was jostled in his grip. Red-billed ox peckers took noisy flight, straight for the men. The rhino’s head jerked upward from his grazing. Unchewed grass hung from his misshapen mouth. His fuzzy-edged ears twitched, and his spread nostrils sniffed the air. It only took a moment for the animal to come to full alert.

When the rhino jerked his head upward twice and tossed the grass from his mouth, Jace shouted, “He’s on to us. Scatter! At fifty feet, we all fire if he isn’t down. It’s your game, Chad. Keep alert for a mate, Johi. There are too many tracks here for one.”

Jace’s voice caught the animal’s attention. It lowered its head and charged in her lover’s direction, determined to gore him. Leigh screamed, then clamped her hand over her mouth to prevent further distraction. Terror filled her as the beast ran swiftly at her love.

“Here, you bloody bloke!” Chad yelled.

The animal came to an immediate standstill, whirled in her guardian’s direction, and charged straightforward. Its pace was fast and menacing. Chad took aim but waited, and waited.

“Shoot!” Louisa shrieked, but Chad held his fire and stance and ground. “Don’t be a fool. Kill him! Now!”

The animal came to an abrupt halt, located the noise, and raced toward the women. All except Leigh screamed. The hunter/bearers prepared for the attack. Leigh lifted her weapon and took aim, not realizing her gun was no longer loaded …

“This way, you monster,” Chad shouted. “You’re mine.” He yelled until he succeeded in attracting the animal’s attention.

Again, the enormous and strong creature changed directions. At fifty feet, Jace shouted, “Shoot, damn you. Stop playing!”

The rhino wasn’t distracted and kept up his charge at the handsome earl. Man and beast were committed to life or death in a moment. The black-haired man fired, just as Jace shot its front leg to halt its lethal intent. Chad’s bullet struck home first, and the beast stumbled and fell, dead near his feet. Chad sent out a whoop of joy, lifting and shaking his gun overhead in victory.

Jace hurried to him. The men exchanged challenging looks. “That was damn foolish, old friend. Don’t wait so long next time. Another minute and he would have had you on the end of that horn.”

Chad sent him a broad grin. “No way. You would have taken him down before he reached me. I know what a perfect shot you are. I wanted to get him close. I didn’t want to take a risk of ruining him. What a prize,” he murmured. “Louisa! Come take my picture with him.”

The redhead rushed forward and flung herself into Chad’s arms. “You scared me to death. I don’t like such sport, Chad. You’re reckless.”

“I was never in any danger. Was I, Jace?”

“We’d have gotten him, but it was close. Too close, Chad. I warned you about showing off, being stubborn.”

“You shot him in the leg to slow him,” Leigh remarked. “You might have saved Chad’s life,” she pointed out to everyone. To make certain she didn’t insult her guardian, she added, “That was mighty brave, Chad. I would have been scared stiff.”

“It was exciting. My head’s spinning and my heart’s pounding. What a surge! I feel ten years younger.”

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