THE GREAT THICK-SKINNED ANIMALS 175 



Burchell's zebra or the yellow and black variety is found in great 

 numbers north of the Orange River; and, seldom congregating in 

 herds of fewer than eighty or a hundred, it abounds to a great extent 

 in all the districts included between that noble stream and the southern 

 tropic. Occupying the same regions and delighting in the same 

 pastures as the brindled gnoo, it is rarely to be seen unless in the 

 companionship of that fantastic animal, whose presence would seem 

 to be almost indispensable to its happiness. It is singular enough that 

 the members of two families so perfectly foreign to each other should 

 display so great a predilection for each other's society, uniformly inter- 

 mixing as they do, and herding in bonds of the closest friendship. 

 Fierce, strong, fleet, and surpassingly beautiful, there is, perhaps, no 

 quadruped in the creation, not even excepting the mountain zebra, 

 more splendidly attired, or presenting a picture of more singularly 

 attractive beauty, than this free-born child of the desert. 



It may be seen from this description how beautiful an animal this 

 is. Unfortunately Burchell's species is not plentiful, and a sportsman 

 is extremely lucky who secures one. It is easier to kill than the 

 ordinary variety, as it is found chiefly on the plains, whereas the other 

 inhabits the mountain slopes. The favorite method of hunting them 

 is on horseback. If the rider can not get close enough for a standing 

 shot he can run them down and get a shot in that way. It is dangerous 

 and exciting work to ride a horse at full speed over the African plains. 

 The going is usually rough and the holes and burrows not infrequent. 

 Should the pony put his foot in a wart-hog hole, it is apt to result in a 

 broken leg for him or at least a bad spill for his rider, and if the animal 

 he is chasing is a dangerous one, it may also charge the hunter in this 

 embarrassing predicament and turn the bad spill into a tragedy. How- 

 ever, this risk is all in the game of African hunting and must be 

 discounted to thoroughly enjoy the sport. The two animals noted 

 above are so like the horse that a word in regard to this well known 

 and faithful servant will not seem out of place. 



The Horse.— If we were to search through the animal kingdom 

 for a creature which would be able to run with the speed of a deer, to 

 carry a man for many miles upon its back, or to draw heavy weights 

 behind it, could we possibly find one more suitable for all these purposes 



