118 IN BRIGHTEST AFRICA 
proached, keeping him covered in case he attempted 
to bolt. As we got near he turned and faced us with 
great, gentle eyes. Without the least sign of fear or 
anger he seemed to wonder why we had harmed him. 
The only wound was from a small bullet high in 
the neck, merely a flesh wound which would have 
caused him no serious trouble had he continued with 
the herd. We walked around him within six feet and 
I almost believe we could have put a halter on him. 
Certainly it would have been child’s play to have 
thrown a rope over his head. We reached camp 
about midnight and I announced that if any more 
wild asses were wanted, someone else would have to 
shoot them. I had had quite enough. Normally, 
the ass is one of the wildest of creatures and it is 
dificult to explain the actions of these two. They 
appeared not to realize that we were the cause of 
their injuries but rather seemed to expect relief as 
we approached—and yet one English “sportsman” 
boasted of having killed twenty-eight. 
While I have never had a zebra stand after being 
wounded, in all other respects his habits resemble 
very closely those of his kin, the wild ass of Somali- 
land. Occasionally, man has captured and domesti- 
cated zebras so that he may use them in a four-horse 
team. But this is done only for the amusement it 
affords, because the zebra, like all wild animals, has 
never quite enough of the endurance that.is bred into 
a domesticated horse to make him useful in harness. 
In wild life he requires only sufficient stamina ta 
yutrun a lion for a short distance. 
