326 Incidents of Foreign Field Sport. 



gave the place and pool a wide berth, not wishing to 



encounter any more of these pugnacious beasts, and 



went on to a gully in the heart of an acacia forest, 



where it was said giraffes were to be found. The 



walking was most difficult. In the dim daylight of 



the forest I often slipped into a " crevasse " or a pit, 



and got several falls, and many a shaking. But 



getting on to a path made by wild beasts, we were 



enabled to traverse the ground at a better pace. There 



were the footmarks and the droppings of many 



animals, those of giraffes predominating, as those 



beasts seemed to go and return by the same way. We 



disturbed several deer, but saw nothing to shoot up 



to nine o'clock. I was then told to sit down and 



rest, and the shikarie would look about for fresh 



tracks. I was to conceal myself as much as possible, 



for if giraffes were started they would be sure to 



come my way. I accordingly got into a kind of 



pit, which some one had dug out in search of water, 



and squatted down, having my weapons loaded and 



handy. I cut a few branches which I stuck into the 



ground in front of me so as to form a screen, and 



after eating some cold meat hippoo's, I believe and 



taking a swig of whisky and water, I was half asleep, 



when I heard a twig break. I was on the qui vive in 



a moment, and cautiously peered about, but could 



see nothing. After a considerable pause there was 



another slight sound and then faint footsteps, and I 



saw about eight giraffes in single file coming past 



my post. How my heart did beat ! They looked so 



lovely. It seemed a great shame to deprive one of 



these animals of its life ! Yet how disappointed I 



should have been had I failed to bag one ! Their 



