BRINGING DOWN A GIRAFFE. 365 



Its massive horns, with a corkscrew twist ascending 

 them from the butt to near the point, are formidable 

 weapons ; so that, when brought to bay, the sportsman 

 had better be careful. Their meat is exceedingly good, 

 and their hide makes a valuable leather. 



Leaving the koodoo to take care of himself, which 

 it was quite evident he was capable of, we directed 

 our course to another range where mimosa grew in 

 abundance. This alteration of direction had not long 

 taken place, when one of the bushmen seized Euby's 

 head-stall, and pulled her, and me for I was on her 

 back behind a bush. Eeceiving a signal to alight, I 

 dismounted, and cautiously followed one of the guides, 

 when he pointed out eight giraffes feeding. Their 

 tremendous height, long necks, short bodies, high 

 withers and low rumps, it matters not how often I see 

 them, make me feel disposed to wonder at their struc- 

 ture, and almost laugh at the absurdity of their appear- 

 ance. But of one thing all may feel certain, that the 

 Great Constructor of the universe has most admirably 

 adapted them for the part they have to play in it. 



I had my Martini-Henry in my hand, so, although 

 the distance was over two hundred yards, determined to 

 take a shot. The reason of my coming to this con- 

 clusion was, that the ground was so bare between us, 

 that I felt convinced any attempt at a stalk would prove 

 a failure. Accordingly, I took sight at the nearest 

 female (males are so musky, that it requires the stomach 

 of a black man to enjoy it as food), fired, and she 

 fell all of a heap. The companions did not seem to 

 understand the matter, but with uncertain gait com- 

 menced to move off. As the line they were pursuing 

 would take them within a hundred yards of me, I 



