280 GIRAFFE HUNTING. 



counted considerably over a hundred, hartebeests, 

 sassabis, and zebras numerically being in the largest 

 proportions. The different species were all inter- 

 mingled, yet the greatest harmony and goodwill 

 seemed to be dominant among them. The giraffes 

 soberly stalked along as if they were on stilts ; now 

 and then one of the larger antelopes would step 

 aside to pick up an inviting leaf or bunch of grass, 

 which having accomplished it would trot on to 

 resume its former place ; while the zebras, ever 

 full of fun and frolic, kicked up their heels and 

 " bucked " in sheer wantonness, and as if they con- 

 sidered the whole affair as a matter of infinite jest. 

 The vilde beests certainly looked fierce, and not un- 

 frequently lowered their heads and shook their 

 formidable horns as if they intended mischief, but 

 such conduct never for a moment entered their 

 thoughts. It is a way they have, but never are 

 appearances more deceptive. When first I witnessed 

 such sights as this, I always found myself asking 

 the question, Is it possible that all these beasts are 

 wild ? that they can go where they choose, and that 

 they belong to no one ? and although I answered 

 myself in the affirmative, yet a dweller in civilization 

 has been so long associated with domestic animals 

 and no others that I could scarcely credit that I 

 was correct. There are many grand and exciting 

 sights to be seen. When a child I used to think 

 that nothing could exceed in attractiveness the 

 gathering of the highland cattle off the hill sides, 

 and herding them along the roads when on their 

 way to southern markets, but this lost much of its 

 zest after I had witnessed in Spain the bulls being 

 hurried along half mad with the excitement to 

 the plazo de toros. But even that is nothing, nothing 

 at all, to viewing a crowd of African game under 

 circumstances such as I have been describing. I 

 suppose it must be because they are truly wild, 



