278 



GIRAFFE HUNTING. 



i 



characteristic abundance that these unsightly excres- 

 cences are to be found throughout southern tropical 

 Africa. 



About a hundred yards from a donga I was pointed 

 out my shelter behind an ant-hill about seven feet 

 high. William had a similar stand, about two hun- 

 dred yards north-west of me, while the bushman 

 expressed his intention of taking care of himself after 

 his own manner. 



Near the donga was a solitary tree, nearly thirty 

 feet high ; this the Massara ascended to learn how the 

 operations were being carried out. While so perched 

 he carried on an animated conversation with my 

 driver ; this indicated that there was no great hurry, 

 as yet, in gaining our respective ambuscades. 



Being anxious to see how the drive was conducted, 

 I ascended to his side, and from my elevated position 

 got a grand view for miles. With the aid of my 

 Dolland I could distinctly make out that the number 

 of the game that I had previously observed had been 

 considerably augmented, and that all were heading 

 in our direction, but quite unalarmed, for they con- 

 stantly halted to feed. Up till now not a sight of a 

 human being, as far as the native beaters were con- 

 cerned, could be seen, so the land truly might have 

 been uninhabited by man. At length I made out 

 six giraffes proceeding at a slightly hurried pace 

 to join the other animals. This companionship 

 seemed to give them confidence, for soon they 

 relaxed their speed to a slow walk, occasionally 

 stopping to have a look around. Soon after there 

 appeared to be an alarm among all, for they 

 came on in our direction for a fev; hundred 

 yards at a more rapid gait, then renewed their former 

 nonchalant air. Suddenly, the moment following, 

 every head was thrown up, all took a long stare, as if 

 to satisfy themselves that they had grounds for sus- 

 picion, when again their course towai-ds us was 



