HUNTING THE GIRAFFE. 299 



Meanwhile Kermit and Sir Albert Pease had been out on an exploration 

 in another direction. They surprised a herd of giraffes on the open steppe 

 and immediately gave them chase. Off they scampered over the rough, 

 craggy ground, clapping the spurs to their horses, Kermit almost flying 

 on the wings of the wind and sending bullet upon bullet intO' the huge 

 quarry, until his horse was outdone and he had to jump off and continue 

 the race on foot. He was in splendid trim, full of courage and eager anxiety 

 to outdo his companions, and ran for all his life was worth for about two 

 miles. No more firing was necessary, however, for he found the large bull 

 stretched on the ground, overcome by the many wounds inflicted by his 

 pursuers and dead as a door nail. It was a fine specimen, measuring fully 

 eighteen feet from the tops of its front hoofs to the crown of its head, and 

 even larger than the old bull bagged by the proud father, who felt almost 

 more delighted over his son's powers and achievements than over his own 

 success. 



We now let a famous African traveler and sportsman tell what he knows 

 about the giraffe from his own observations. Says he: 



One of the most curious sights I ever witnessed was a giraffe drinking. 

 It was on the edge of Kalahari Desert in South Africa. I had gone into 

 camp near a stream, and while my men were preparing the evening meal, I 

 was reclining near a clump of bushes, enjoying my pipe' — a Boer fashion of 

 smoking before meals, as well as after — when I heard a noise near the stream 

 below me. Looking in that direction I saw a pair of full grown young 

 giraffes that had stopped at the edge of the stream and were preparing to 

 drink. 



Although they have such long necks they are not long enough to reach 

 the ground when the giraffe is standing in an ordinary position. 



The male giraffe placed one forefoot slightly in front of the other and 

 then began straddling his forelegs wide apart. Little by little with a jerky 

 motion he spread his legs until they were far enough apart to enable him to 

 reach the water, but he made three attempts before he was successful. He 

 was such a comical sight that I burst out laughing. They heard me, looked 

 up and saw me, and then took to their heels. 



My native men had told me that the giraffe never drinks, but I knew 

 then that they were mistaken. It is certain, however, that the giraffes of 

 the North Kalahari Desert will go from seven to eight months without 

 water. 



The giraffe is the tallest, most graceful and one of the most remarkable 



