98 
AFRICAN GAME TRAILS 
As we reached the tree the giraffes showed symptoms 
of uneasiness. One of the smaller ones began to make off, 
and both the others shifted their positions slightly, curling 
their tails. I instantly dropped on my knee, and getting the 
bead just behind the big bulks shoulder, I fired with the 
three-hundred-yard sight. I heard the '‘pack'' of the bullet 
as it struck just where I aimed; and away went all three 
giraffes at their queer rocking-horse canter. Running for¬ 
ward I emptied my magazine, firing at the big bull and also 
at one of his smaller companions, and then, slipping into 
the barrel what proved to be a soft-nosed bullet, I fired at 
the latter again. The giraffe was going straightaway and 
it was a long shot, at four or five hundred yards; but by 
good luck the bullet broke its back and down it came. 
The others were now getting over the crest of the hill, 
but the big one was evidently sick, and we called and 
beckoned to the two saises to hurry up with the horses. 
The moment they arrived we jumped on, and Captain 
Slatter cantered up a neighboring hill so as to mark the 
direction in which the giraffes went if I lost sight of them. 
Meanwhile I rode full speed after the giant quarry. I 
was on the tranquil sorrel, the horse I much preferred in 
riding down game of any kind, because he had a fair turn 
of speed, and yet was good about letting me get on and off. 
As soon as I reached the hill-crest I saw the giraffes ahead 
of me, not as far off as I had feared, and I raced toward them 
without regard to rotten ground and wart-hog holes. The 
wounded one lagged behind, but when I got near he put 
on a spurt, and as I thought I was close enough I leaped 
off, throwing the reins over the sorrel's head, and opened 
fire. Down went the big bull, and I thought my task was 
