HUNTING THE GIRAFFE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 10133, 16 May 1896, Page 2 (Supplement)

HUNTING THE GIRAFFE.

In one of his giraffe-hunting expeditions Mr. Vaughan Kirby, who has lately published a book* on sport in: Afrioa, came upon a lovely spot, actually alive with i game. "To our right,'- sajß the writer, M some 250 yards" off, seven ' splendid giraffes were standing around, and amongst »small thicket of ' cAmel-thorns,' cropping •a stray spray of the tender leafage here and' there, but for the most part standing dignified and . motionless, sun and shade playing, alternate v freaks of. light and shadow upon their rich glossy" hides, , Two others lay in the' grass away from the trees, their long necks having exactly the appearance of old stumps » an a grand old bull, of patriarchal mien, Was with ( this seleot. company, My gallant grey was as fresh as paint, and; could he but have a Sup of water, would have been tit to go for a man's life. ■ With eager step, arched neck, and ears pricked forward, he advanced. I could feel that thrill of excitement flash through his strong frame as he marked the game, and .longed for the slight slacking of the reins and the word that should send him '!for'ard, away!' Quietly patting his great neck, the veins of whloh seemed swollen almost to bursting with pent-up energy and excitement, I turned to Muntummuni, A Keep close. to me, and we'll try for the old bull.' A nod was his answer, followed by a ouppressed There, now they're off I' Simultaneously the giraffes swing round, screw tip their tails, and are away. ' So-ho, Moscow, my boy, now for it!' What a play of colour there is in that mass of swaying, surging life 1 The old bull, as he runs neck and neck with two fawn-coloured cows, looks black as raven's plume. A brilliant chestnut cow crosses him, and at once the deep black becomes richest glowing orangebrown. But the fun is now growing fast and furious. The giraffes reached the crook, and in ft stride are across, dropping smoothly into the shallow bed, though climbing out somewhat olumsily. A few of them refuse to cross, and turn short back up the slope again. The old bull, which! wish to drivo on towards camp, keeps to tlio main troop; but lam now dee on to their heels, a little below them and to the left, and only waiting for a good bit of going ground to cut in. As they run out of the creek, seeing they are about to be cut off from their point, the whole troop turns sharply off to the right, up creek again, heading for the line of thorn trees on the ridge. At the spot where I strike the creek is rather wide, but negotiable, and, steadied at the tako off, ray good horse takes It with half a length to spare; but, landing on some round slippory stones hidden in the grass, he stumbles heavily, nearly putting me on his neck, my irons 'touching the ground, though he quickly recovers, and once more swings into stride. By good luck I see that the largest, and another good one, with two full-grown cows, are running on the outside, and consequently nearest to me. This gives me my opportunity, and spurting up abreast of them, before the horse has fairly stopped, I am on the ground ; but, instead of giving me a broadside shot, the old bull swerves suddenly, and get* the bullet somewhere near the root of his tail, which he acknowledges In the usual manner by kicking out smartly with his hind legs. One of the cows crossing behind him, I give her a shot in the small ribs, aiming for the heart. She reduces her speed ab once, but still keeps on after the rest. After a while I set out after the big bull first hit, who is going away strongly some three hundred yards distant, and after a sharp burst I again , range up and give him & second shot; but it is badly placed, as the low bush is very thick here, and only partially burnt, and the bull runs in a most erratic manner through it, twisting and turning about in all directions. For this same reason lam unable to get alongside, bub as soon as the bull leaves the bush and turns downhill over some very rough stony ground, I once more let out 5 he now slows down, and I can Bee that his racs is run, though I have no suspicion that mine is in Imminent danger ot being run also. We are almost alongside, another couple of lengths will do it, when a huge ant-bear hole confronts: a magnificent effort, and the brave old horse clea.s it in his stride, but again landing on stones hidden in the ashy dust, slips, half recovers, only to find himself in another . yawning hole, the ground being completely burrowed out all round. We are not long in parting company— Moscow turns a complete somersault, whilst I fly yard* ovor his head, and come down a regular orowner. My plucky nag soon rises and shakes himself, but for a few moments I cannot do the one, and do nob need to do the other, it having been already well done for me. However, after a little star-gazing, I get on my feet, a distressful figure, with blood running freely from nose and forehead into my ash-choked mouth. Fortunately my rifle is safe, though sorely dented on the stones, and, to my surprise, I see the old bull standing about sixty yards away looking in wonderment at the performance. But, poor brute ! I can tell biC tho BWaying neck, the trembling knees, and the slackly-hanginu tali that his end is near. A sharp report—his legs are swept, as it were, from under him, and with a great crash he falls lifeless to the ground,"