242 A HUNTER'S WANDERINGS ch. 



went. For an instant the giraffes stared wonderingly 

 towards us, and then, twisting up their long black 

 tails, galloped away at a swinging pace. My friend, 

 being mounted on a very fine horse, distanced me 

 considerably, though I was able to keep close enough 

 to enjoy a very fine view of the chase. The horse 

 and his rider seemed to be straining every nerve, 

 whilst the long sweeping stride of the giraffes gave 

 one the idea that they were not exerting themselves 

 to any great extent. Nevertheless they were doing 

 their best, for, before they reached the bush, the 

 gallant chestnut had borne his rider first level with 

 and then clean past the old bull, who at once, swerv- 

 ing to one side, went off at right angles ; and, just 

 as the cows were gaining the shelter of the forest, 

 Dorehill jumped off close behind them, and as the 

 report of his rifle rang out, I heard the bullet clap 

 loudly, and at the same time saw a dark-coloured 

 cow throw out her legs spasmodically, evidently hard 

 hit. Before my friend was in the saddle again I 

 passed him, and my old horse, responding to my call 

 and spurting gamely, soon brought me close up 

 behind the giraffes. Hastily glancing through them, 

 I noted the one just wounded by my companion, and 

 then, picking out a light-coloured cow that I thought 

 looked the fattest of the remaining five, I pushed 

 close up alongside of her, and turned her away from 

 the others ; but the bush being rather thick, it was 

 some time before I could get a chance of a shot, 

 though I stuck close to her. The bush through 

 which the chase led consisted principally of large 

 mopani trees growing pretty close together, and the 

 judgment with which the giraffe, though going at a 

 great pace, steered her course through them, breaking 

 the smaller opposing branches, or gracefully bending 



