THE GREAT THICK-SKINNED ANIMALS 
i75 
Burchell’s zebra or the yellow and black variety is found in great 
numbers north of the Orange River; and, seldom congregating in 
herds of fewer than eighty or a hundred, it abounds to a great extent 
in all the districts included between that noble stream and the southern 
tropic. Occupying the same regions and delighting in the same 
pastures as the brindled gnoo, it is rarely to be seen unless in the 
companionship of that fantastic animal, whose presence would seem 
to be almost indispensable to its happiness. It is singular enough that 
the members of two families so perfectly foreign to each other should 
display so great a predilection for each other’s society, uniformly inter¬ 
mixing as they do, and herding in bonds of the closest friendship. 
Fierce, strong, fleet, and surpassingly beautiful, there is, perhaps, no 
quadruped in the creation, not even excepting the mountain zebra, 
more splendidly attired, or presenting a picture of more singularly 
attractive beauty, than this free-born child of the desert. 
It may be seen from this description how beautiful an animal this 
is. Unfortunately Burchell’s species is not plentiful, and a sportsman 
is extremely lucky who secures one. It is easier to kill than the 
ordinary variety, as it is found chiefly on the plains, whereas the other 
inhabits the mountain slopes. The favorite method of hunting them 
is on horseback. If the rider can not get close enough for a standing 
shot he can run them down and get a shot in that way. It is dangerous 
and exciting work to ride a horse at full speed over the African plains. 
The going is usually rough and the holes and burrows not infrequent. 
Should the pony put his foot in a wart-hog hole, it is apt to result in a 
broken leg for him or at least a bad spill for his rider, and if the animal 
he is chasing is a dangerous one, it may also charge the hunter in this 
embarrassing predicament and turn the bad spill into a tragedy. How¬ 
ever, this risk is all in the game of African hunting and must be 
discounted to thoroughly enjoy the sport. The two animals noted 
above are so like the horse that a word in regard to this well known 
and faithful servant will not seem out of place. 
The Horse. —If we were to search through the animal kingdom 
for a creature which would be able to run with the speed of a deer, to 
carry a man for many miles upon its back, or to draw heavy weights 
behind it, could we possibly find one more suitable for all these purposes 
