XIX 
THE GIRAFFE 
153 
belief that “ the giraffe pelts its pursuer purposely 
with stones.” Care must also be taken when closing 
with the animal to avoid its hind legs, as it will kick 
when least expected, with such force as to upset 
horse and rider. 
The skin of the giraffe is highly prized for shields, 
as it is much lighter than that of the buffalo or 
rhinoceros ; at the same time it is peculiarly tough, 
and, when dry, it resists both lance and sword. The 
Arabs hunt this inoffensive animal expressly for the 
hide ; at the same time, they preserve the flesh by 
cutting it into thongs and hanging it upon the bushes 
until thoroughly sun-dried. 
The Hamran sword-hunter is a merciless but 
wonderful horseman, and should three or four of 
these fellows form a party, they will frequently kill 
seven or eight giraffes during one hunt. The long 
and extremely sharp blade is exactly suited to this 
kind of sport, as the hocks of the giraffe are so high 
above the ground that they can be reached by the 
sword without the necessity of stooping. The speed 
of the horse is naturally imparted to the weapon, 
therefore when riding alongside, upon the left of the 
flying animal, the slightest blow will sever the 
hamstring, and all further movement is impossible. 
If the giraffe moved like ordinary quadrupeds, it 
could continue upon three legs, but the fact of its 
moving the legs of each side simultaneously 
renders it entirely helpless when one has been 
disabled. 
I have never taken any great pleasure in shooting 
