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 advance. 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 shuffle 
