THE FIRST GIRAFFE HUNT. 567 



grove that beautified the scenery. They were within a hun- 

 dred yards of me, but having previously determined to try 

 the boarding system, I reserved my fire. Although I had 

 taken the field expressly to look for giraffes, and had put 

 four of the Hottentots on horseback, all excepting Piet had 

 as usual slipped off unperceived in pursuit of a troop of 

 koodoos. Our stealthy approach was soon opposed by an 

 ill-tempered rhinoceros, which, with her ugly calf, stood 

 directly in the path ; and the twinkling of her bright little 

 eyes, accompanied by a restless rolling of the body, giving 

 earnest of her intention to charge, I directed Piet to salute 

 her with a broadside, at the same moment putting spurs to 

 my horse. At the report of the gun, and the sudden clatter- 

 ing of hoofs, away bounded the giraffes in grotesque confusion, 

 clearing the ground by a succession of frog-like hops, and 

 soon leaving me far in the rear. Twice were their towering 

 forms concealed from view by a park of trees, which we 

 entered almost at the same instant ; and twice, on emerging 

 from the labyrinth, did I perceive them tilting over an 

 eminence immeasurably in advajice. A white turban, that 

 I wore round my hunting cap, being dragged off by a 

 projecting bough, was instantly charged by three rhinoce- 

 roses ; and looking over my shoulder, I could see them long 

 afterwards fagging themselves to overtake me. In the course 

 of five minutes, the fugitives arrived at a small river, the 

 treacherous sands of which receiving their long legs, their 

 flight was greatly retarded ; and after floundering to the 

 opposite side, and scrambling to the top of the bank, I 

 perceived that their race was run. Patting the streaming 

 neck of my good steed, I urged him again to his utmost, and 

 instantly found myself by the side of the herd. The stately 

 bull, being readily distinguishable from the rest by his dark 

 chestnut robe, and superior stature, I applied the muzzle of 

 my rifle behind his dappled shoulder, with the right hand, 

 and drew both triggers; but he still continued to shufflo 



