2q6 GIRAFFE HUNTING. 



creature's life, but food, human food, was wanted, 

 so the inferior creature of the brute creation must 

 die, to supply the requisite that enables man to live. 

 Both barrels of my lO-bore loaded with spherical 

 bullets, and 7 drams of powder delivered their 

 charges in rapid succession. The wounded creature 

 reeled for a moment, then pulled herself together, 

 and w r as soon in rapid pursuit of her companions. 

 In an instant afterwards I was in my saddle, 

 and the pursuit began. Never was I carried better ; 

 the pace was terrific, and soon laid me along- 

 side my prey. The ground still seen ed admirably 

 adapted for galloping, but I soon found this was 

 erroneous, for it was perfectly honey-combed with 

 meerkat burrows. To avoid one of the former I 

 pulled my mount closer to the giraffe than was 

 prudent, when the cow gave my gallant little horse 

 a kick with her nigh hind hoof, that sent us both 

 in one indistinguishable heap to the ground. I 

 soon picked myself up, not so my favourite, for his 

 off fore leg was broken immediately below the 

 knee. 



There was nothing to be done, but to take the 

 life of my darling, for no human skill could now aid 

 him. It was a terrible resource, but an imperative 

 one, so the bullet that was intended to kill the 

 giraffe was destined to take the life of as brave, 

 fleet, and affectionate a beast as ever I threw a leg 

 over. 



On that day I had better draw a veil, for when I 

 got home, worn out and sick of heart, bad news 

 awaited me. 



I even now wonder how I retained my reason 

 when I had learned the misadventures I had 

 suffered. Every effort to ccmpose myself was 

 futile, for it appeared to me as if Providence had 

 marked me out as a special victim for her dis- 

 pleasure. But what was the second mishap ? I can 



