160 HUNTING THE GIRAFFE. 



about three hundred yards on our right, I thought I saw 

 something like several heads towering above the tops of 

 the grove, A moment longer, and the lofty grace of the 

 giraffe was visible. 



" See ! see ! Mr. Barrill, see ! " I exclaimed, and he 

 turned to look in the direction I was pointing. 



" Giraffe ! giraffe !" he fairly shouted, and the noise 

 startled the colossal animal to flight. They were seven in 

 number, and each one was at least seventeen feet in height. 

 They cantered away, switching their long tails over their 

 backs, and almost excited to a sportsman's madness by 

 the splendid sight, I dashed after them, Mr. Barill fol- 

 lowing rapidly. The ground was even, and after a thrill- 

 ing chase of about half a mile, we were among the herd. 

 I selected my game, and separated it from the herd. 

 On finding itself driven off, this giraffe increased its speed, 

 and cleared an amazing extent of ground at every bound. 

 Riding near its stern I fired a bullet into its back, and 

 then getting alongside I sent another in behind the shoul- 

 der. This brought the lofty animal to a stand. So that 

 I had full time to reload. One more report rang on the 

 air the giraffe bounded into the air, and fell backwards 

 upon the plain* Oh ! the soft, imploring beauty of the 

 eyes, as they were turned upon me ! But they glazed, 

 the limbs quivered as death's chill crept over them a 

 gasp, and the giraffe the pride of the plains the loftiest 



