RIDING DOWN GIRAFFE. 97 



and third cows I fired ; the object at which my first 

 shot is directed drops upon her knees, but recovered 

 and went on, while the thud answering the left 

 barrel proclaims a second case of wounding. A 

 material quickening of the pace of the creatures now 

 ensued, their slow graceful walk being changed to the 

 most rapid amble ; for giraffes do not trot or gallop. 

 I have seen them attempt the latter pace, but it is 

 always adjudged by the sportsman when they do so, 

 an indication that their course is nearly run. On 

 such occasions their lengthy legs seem to go any- 

 where and be altogether out of their control. But 

 at all times when in rapid motion their long tasselled 

 tails incessantly keep moving from side to side or 

 switch violently over their backs. 



How fast a giraffe can amble is almost im- 

 possible to state correctly, for there must be of neces- 

 sity some swifter than others, but I would say that 

 I believe, on an average, they can get over the 

 ground at a quicker rate than a mile in two and 

 a-half minutes. Later experience has taught me that 

 it takes a really good horse to overtake them, and 

 then it can only be done by making the pace severe 

 from the start. However the reader must remember 

 that the country over which such a pursuit is con- 

 ducted is never as smooth or level as a race-course, 

 while frequently high and very stiff jumps will occur, 

 over fallen trees and other obstacles, such as dongas 

 and reefs of cropping out rock, and not the less to 



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