53 
of the male inhabitants of three large kraals, in addition to those that had accompanied us from the last encampment. The 
country had now become undulating, extensive mimosa groves occupying all the yalleys, as well as the banks of the Tolaan, 
winding amongst them on its way to join the Mariqua. Before we had proceeded many hundred yards, our progress was op- 
posed by a Rhinoceros, who looked defiance, but quickly took the hints we gave him to get out of the way. Two fat Elands 
had been pointed out at the edge of the copse the moment before, one of which Richardson disposed of with little difficulty, 
the other leading me through all the intricacies of the labyrinth to a wide plain on the opposite side—on entering which I 
found the fugitive was prostrate at my feet in the middle of a troop of Giraffes, who stooped their long necks, astounded at 
the intrusion—then consulted a moment how they should best escape the impending danger—and in another, were sailing away 
at their utmost speed. To have followed upon my then jaded horse would have been absurd, and I was afterwards unable to 
recover any trace of them, 
Several hours’ diligent search the following day, brought us within telescopic range of twelve, whose carpet robes flickered 
amid glare and vapour, by which their lower parts were quite obscured, Pursuing them a considerable distance, over an exten- 
sive plain, where mokaala trees grew among thistles and mat-rushes, we repeatedly wounded the largest male, a gigantic dark 
coloured fellow, probably eighteen feet im height; but he merely acknowledged the receipt of each bullet as it whacked against 
his stern-posts and bulwarks, by wincing a little as if stung by P gnat—and then, tying an extra kuot in his tail, increased 
his pace. Our famished horses fallmg repeatedly into the numerous Buffalo holes with which the ground was covered, we at 
length relinquished the chase, convinced of the impossibility of humbling the lofty head of the Giraffe, until our steeds should 
have improved in condition upon the fine pasturage which now abounded. A range of blue mountains which we visited some 
weeks afterwards with better suecess, bounded the wide prospect to the North Hastward, and the face of the country being co- 
vered with large herds of Elands, we vented our spleen upon them,—the great host of savages by whom we were attended, 
quickly clearing away the carcases of those we slew, and even quarrelling for the entrails. 
Many days elapsed before we again beheld the tall Giraffe, nor were our eyes gladdened with his sight until after we had 
crossed the Cashan mountains to the country of the Baquaina, for the express purpose of seeking for him. After the many contre- 
temps, how shall I describe the sensations I experienced, as on a cool November morning, after rapidly following some fresh traces 
in profound silence for several miles, I at length counted from the back of Breslar, my most trusty steed, no fewer than thirty- 
two of various sizes, industriously stretching their peacock necks to crop the tiny leaves that flattered aboye their heads, in a 
flowering mimosa grove which beautified the scenery. My heart leapt within me, and the blood coursed like quicksilver through 
my veins, for, with a firm wooded plain before me, I knew that they were mine; but although they stood within a hundred 
yards of me, having preyiously determined to try the boarding system, I reserved my fire. Notwithstanding that I had taken 
the field expressly to look for Giraffes, and in consequence of several of the remarkable spoors of those animals having been 
seen the evening before, had taken four mounted Hottentots in my suite, all excepting Piet had as usual slipped off unperceived 
in pursnit of a troop of Koodoos. Our stealthy approach was soon opposed by an ill-tempered Rhinoceros, which with her 
ugly old-fashioned calf stood directly in the path; and the twinkling of her bright little eyes, accompanied by a restless 
rolling of the body, giving earnest of her mischievous intentions, I directed Piet to salute her with a broadside, at the same 
moment putting spurs to my horse. At the report of the gan, and the sudden clattering of hoofs, away bounded the herd 
in grotesque confusion —clearing the ground by a succession of frog-like hops, and soon leaving me far in their rear. Twice 
were their towering forms concealed from view by a park of trees, which we entered almost at the same instant; and twice 
on emerging from the labyrinth, did I perceive them tilting over an eminence far in advance, their sloping backs reddening in 
the sunshine, as with giant port they topped the ridges in right gallant style. A white turban, that I wore round my hunt- 
ing cap, being dragged off by a projecting bough, was instantly charged and trampled under foot by three Rhinoceroses; and 
long afterwards, looking over my shoulder, I could see the ungainly brutes in the rear fagging themselves to overtake me. In 
the course of five minutes, the fugitives arrived at a small river, the treacherous sands of which receiving their spider legs, 
their flight was greatly retarded; and by the time they had flowundered to the opposite side, and scrambled to the top of the 
bank, I could perceive that their race was run. Patting the steaming neck of my good steed, I urged him again to his utmost, 
and instantly found myself by the side of the herd. ‘The lordly chief, being readily distinguishable from the rest by his 
dark chesnut robe and superior stature, | applied the muzzle of my rifle behind his dappled shoulder with the right hand, and 
drew both triggers; but he still continued to shuffle along, and being afraid of losing him, should I dismount among the exten-~ 
sive mimosa groves, with which the landscape was now obscured, I sat in my saddle, loading and firing behind the elbow, and 
then placing myself across his path, to obstruct his progress. Mute, dignified, and majestic, stood the unfortunate victim, occasion- 
ally stooping his elastie neck towards his persecutor, the tears trickling from the lashes of his dark humid eye, as broadside 
after broadside was poured into his brawny front. 
His drooping head sinks gradually low, 
And through his side, the last drops ebbing slow 
From the red gash, fall heavy, one by one, 
Like the first of a thunder shower; — 
Presently a convulsive shivering seized his limbs — his coat stood on end — his lofty frame began to totter —and at the 
seventeenth discharge from the deadly grooved bore, like a falling minaret, bowing his graceful head from the skies, his proud 
