THE FIRST GIRAFFE HUNT. 569 
Returning to the giraffe, we all feasted heartily upon the 
flesh, which, although highly scented at this season with the 
rank mokaala blossoms, was far from despicable; and after 
losing our way in consequence of the twin-like resemblance 
of two scarped hills, we regained the wagons after sunset. 
The spell was now broken, and the secret of cameleopard 
hunting discovered. The next day Richardson and myself 
killed three; one a female, slipping upon muddy ground, and 
falling with great violence, before she had been wounded, a 
shot in the head dispatched her as she lay. From this time 
we could reckon confidently upon two out of each troop that 
we were fortunate enough to find, always approaching as 
near as possible, in order to insure a good start, galloping 
into the middle of them, boarding the largest, and riding 
with him until he fell. The rapidity with which these awk- 
wardly formed animals can move, is beyond all things 
surprising, our best horses being unable to close with them 
under two miles. Their gallop is a succession of jumping 
strides, the fore and hind leg on the same side moving 
together instead of diagonally, as in most other quadrupeds, 
the former being kept close together, and the latter so wide 
apart, that in riding by the animal’s side, the hoof may be 
seen striking on the outside of the horse, momentarily threat- 
ening to overthrow him. Their motion, altogether, reminded 
me rather of the pitching of a ship, or rolling of a rocking- 
horse, than of any thing living; and the remarkable gait is 
rendered still more automaton-like, by the switching, at 
regular intervals, of the long black tail, which is invariably 
curled above the back, and by the corresponding action of 
the neck, swinging as it does, like a pendulum, and literally 
imparting to the animal the appearance of a huge piece of 
machinery in motion. Naturally gentle, timid and peaceable, 
the unfortunate giraffe has no means of protecting itself but 
with its heels; but even when hemmed into a corner, 1t 
seldom resorted to this mode of defence. I have hbefure 
