From out a hole in the clay wall protruded a long naked cylindrical snout, mounted by a pair of ears nearly as long as itself, that stood erect like the horns of a steinbuck, and gave to the animal that bore them a wild and vicious look.

It would have badly frightened me, had I not known what it was; but I recognised it at once as one of the most inoffensive creatures in the world--the `aard-vark.' "His appearance accounted for the retreat of the bull, and also explained why the ants had been crawling about on my first reaching their hill.
"Without saying a word, or making the slightest noise, I clubbed my gun; and, bending downward, struck the protruded snout a blow with the butt.
It was a most wicked blow; and, considering the service the creature had just done me in frightening off the wildebeest, a most ungrateful return.

But I was not master of my feelings at the moment.

I did not reflect--only that I liked aard-vark flesh--and the blow was given.
"Poor fellow! It did the job for him.

With scarce a kick he dropped dead in the opening he had scraped with his own claws.
"Well--my day's adventures were not yet ended.