436 HUNTING ADVENTUR1IS. 



the moment before. One jf which Richardson disposed of ivith but 

 little difficulty, the other leading me through all the intricacies of 

 the labyrinth to a wide plain on the opposite side. On entering which, 

 I found the fugitive was prostrate at my feet in the middle of a troop 

 of giraffes, who stooped their long necks, astounded at the intrusion, 

 ihen consulted a moment how they should best escape the impending 

 danger, and in another they were sailing away at their utmost speed. 

 r lo have followed upon my then jaded horse would have been absurd, 

 and I was afterward unable to recover any trace of them. 



Many days elapsed before we again saw the tall giraffe, nor were 

 our eyes gladdened with his sight until after we had crossed *he 

 Cashan Mountains to the country of the Baquaina, for the express 

 purpose of seeking for him. After the many contretemps, how shall 

 I express the sensations I experienced as, on a cool November evening, 

 after rapidly following some fresh traces in profound silence, for sev- 

 eral miles, I at length counted from the back of '* JBreslau," my most 

 trusty steed, no fewer than thirty-two of various sizes industriously 

 stretching their peacock necks to crop the tiny leaves that fluttered 

 above their heads, in a flowering mimosa grove which beautified the 

 scenery. My heart leaped within me, and my blood coursed like 

 quicksilver through my veins, for, with a firm wooded plain before 

 me, I knew they were mine; but, although they stood within a hun- 

 dred yards of me, having previously determined to try the " boarding" 

 system, reserved my fire. 



Notwithstanding that I had taken the field expressly to look for 

 giraffes, and in consequence of several of the remarkable spoors of 

 these animals having been seen the evening before, had taken four 

 mounted Hottentots in my suite, all excepting Piet had, as usual, 

 slipped off unperceived in pursuit of a troop of koodoos. Our steal- 

 thy approach was soon opposed by an ill-natured rhinoceros, which, 

 with her old fashioned calf, stood directly in our path, and the 

 twinkling of her bright little eyes, accompanied by a restless rolling 

 of the body, giving earnest of her mischievous intentions. I directed 

 Piet to salute her with a broadside, at the same time putting spurs 

 to my horse. At the report of the gun, and sudden clatter of the 

 hoofs- away bounded the herd in grotesque confusion, clearing the 



