196 EXPEDITION INTO 



two of these animals, indiistriously stretching' their peacock 

 necks to crop the tiny leaves which fluttered above their 

 headsj in a mimosa g-rove that beautified the scenery. They 

 •were within an hundred yards of me, but having- previously 

 determined to tr}^ the hoarding system, I reserved my fire. 

 Althoug-h I had taken the field expressly to look for 

 g'iraifes, 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 ug'ly calf, stood directly in the path ; and the twinkling" 

 of her brig'ht little eyes, accompanied by a restless rolling- 

 of the body, g-iving- earnest of her intention to charg-e, I 

 directed Piet to salute her with a broadside, at the same 

 moment putting- spurs to my horse. At the report of the 

 g'un, and the sudden clattering- of hoofs, away bounded the 

 g-iraffes, in g-rotesque confusion, clearing- the g-round 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, w hich we entered almost at the same 

 instant ; and twice, on emerg-ing- from the labyrinth, did 

 I perceive them tilting- over an eminence immeasurably in 

 advance. A white turban, that I wore round my hunting" 

 cap, being- drag-g-ed off by a projecting- boug-h, was instantly 

 charg-ed by three rhinoceroses ; and looking- over my shoul- 

 der, I could see them long- afterwards fbg-g-ing- themselves 

 to overtake me. In the course of five minutes, the fug-itives 

 arrived at a small river, the treacherous sands of which 

 receiving- tlieir long- leg-s, their flig-ht was g-reatly 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 steaming- neck of my g'ood steed, I urg-ed him 

 ag"ain to his utmost, and instantly found myself by the side 

 of the herd. The stately bull, being- readily disting-uishable 



