CHAPTER XVII. 



A TIMELY ARRIVAL. 



THE second glance of the affrighted Bob enabled 

 him to identify the strange sight : it was the head of 

 an immense giraffe, that was cropping the leaves of 

 the cameeldorn tree in which he had perched. 



Since this animal is one of the most timid that 

 is hunted, it was singular that he did not instantly 

 flee on catching sight of the young hunter. It must 

 have been, as Bob suspected, that he had never looked 

 upon a human being before, and, therefore, did not 

 understand that he was ten-fold more dangerous than 

 the cheetah or lion. 



Wondering at his temerity, Bob ven- 

 tured to move a few inches toward him. 

 Instantly the head became stationary, and 

 the long tongue motionless, while the fine 

 eyes contemplated the stranger with an 

 inquiring stare, not unmixed with fear. 

 Evidently the creature was on the point of 

 fleeing, though the lusciousness of 

 the leaves tempted him to remain. 



Bob kept still, and the giraffe re- 

 sumed feeding, though, for a few 

 minutes, he did not approach any 

 nearer the lad. The latter, watch- 

 ing him closely, was able now and 

 then, when the head parted the 

 branches, to follow the long neck, as 

 it sloped downward to the ground 



where the body was standing. Bob was sure, too, that others of the kind were 

 there, though the thick growth of leaves prevented him seeing plainly, and he was 

 afraid that if he shifted his position, he would drive off the male which showed 

 such confidence in him. 



By and by "the latter edged over to where the astonished youth was holding to 

 the limb. Bob felt just enough misgiving of the extraordinary head to wish to 

 avoid too close company with it Of course, he could have shot the beast, but, 

 before doing that, he wished to satisfy himself that such an act would not shut out 

 all chance oi capturing some of the young. 

 7 07 



AN AFRICAN TOBOGGAN SLIDB. 



