GIRAFFES. 
171 
stones, and, after a long burst, I came within twenty 
yards of them, when Bryan stopped in fear and 
trembling of the huge unwieldy brutes. I plied 
him sharply with the spurs, and got him once more 
under weigh, keeping above the wind, as the giraffes 
have a strong effluvium, which frightens horses unused 
to them. We came out on the open, Swartz forty or 
fifty yards in advance of me, and as far behind the 
giraffes. The sight of the other horse gave Bryan 
confidence, and he bounded away in good style, and 
was alongside instantly, when they again dashed into 
thick bush ; here Swartz turned out a cow, the very 
one I had set my mind on, and I at once took after 
a large bull. Now he bounded away with his tail 
screwed round like a corkscrew, and going in one 
bound as far as I went in three. Bryan crashed 
through everything, and I tore my hands, arms, and 
shirt to pieces. 
At length I got nearly alongside him, and fired, 
hitting him high in the neck, and taking no effect 
whatever on him. Here I got a pull on Bryan and 
managed to re-load, still going on at a smart gallop, 
and once more got alongside, and, in trying to pull 
up to dismount, he went bang into a bush, which 
brought him up short, and he had to back out, the 
giraffe meanwhile getting 100 yards in advance. I 
soon made up the lost ground, and headed him, 
endeavouring to turn him, but he slewed round 
like a vessel in full sail, bearing down almost on 
the top of me, with his huge fore legs as high in 
