THE CREATURE GOD FORGOT 163 



blinds. The giraffe always took longer than any of 

 the other animals to come down to the water. Time 

 and again it would get almost to the edge and then 

 be startled by some stamping giraffe or other beast. 

 It was not afraid of the other grazing animals. I 

 once saw a dozen giraffe pass within ten feet of a 

 grazing rhinoceros and pay absolutely no attention 

 to him. But they no doubt know their shortcomings ; 

 and are prepared to flee if any other animal is 

 attacked by the meat-eaters who are always hovering 

 about. 



If the waterhole is among reeds or grass, or up a 

 small ravine, or in any other kind of country that 

 affords cover to lurking enemies the giraffe will not 

 drink. More than once I have seen a herd of them 

 that I know could not have been to water for days, 

 avoid a hole in the most sweltering heat just because 

 it did not offer a safe visit to a creature so awkward. 

 Even out in the open I have seen a single giraffe take 

 over two hours covering the last few feet between 

 itself and the water. 



Men cannot really be counted among the enemies 

 of the giraffe. Sportsmen seldom kill them. It is 

 possible to secure a hunting license that permits it. 

 But there is little of the triumph for the big game 

 campaigner that goes with conquering an infuriated 

 lion, buffalo, elephant or other truly hostile denizen 

 of the plain or jungle. Once the hunter gets within 



