THE GIRAFFE. Ill 



resistance has succeeded perfectly, even against the 

 lion himself. 



A Namaquois came one day in great haste to inform 

 Le Vaillant that he had seen in the neighbourhood a 

 giraffe browsing the leaves of a mimosa tree. 



"Full of joy, I instantly leapt upon one of my 

 horses, and made Bemfry mount another, and followed 

 by my dogs, I galloped towards the mimosa indicated ; 

 but the giraife was no longer there. We saw him 

 crossing the plain on the western side, and we spurred 

 on to overtake him. He was trotting along lightly, 

 without, however, exerting himself unduly. We gal- 

 loped after him, and from time to time fired several 

 shots after him ; but imperceptibly he gained so much 

 upon us, that after following him for three hours, we 

 were forced to stop, our horses being quite blown, and 

 we lost sight of him." 



This gives an idea of the swiftness of the giraffe. 



Another opportunity presented itself on the following 

 day, on which occasion five giraffes were hunted during 

 the whole day, but they effected their escape under 

 cover of the night. 



At length, the following day was for M. Vaillant ono 

 of the happiest of his life. 



" I started on a hunting expedition at daybreak, in 

 the hope of finding some game for provisions. 



" After some hours' march, we perceived, on turning 



