anticipated that they should fall in with
these remarkable animals. Their guns were examined and every precaution
taken, and having lighted their fires and set the watch, they went to
bed; and, after commending themselves to the care of Providence, were
soon fast asleep.

CHAPTER XXVI.

With the exception of three lions coming very near to the encampment and
rousing up the Griquas, nothing occurred during the night. In the
morning they yoked the oxen and had all the horses saddled ready for the
chase; but they were disappointed for nearly the whole day; as, although
they saw a variety of game, no giraffe appeared in sight. In the
afternoon, as they passed by a clump of mimosas, they were charged by a
rhinoceros, which nearly threw down Alexander's best horse; but a volley
from the Griquas laid him prostrate. It was a very large animal, but not
of the black or ferocious sort, being what is termed the white
rhinoceros. Within the last two days they had also observed that the
gnoo was not of the same sort as the one which they had seen so long,
but a variety which Swinton told them was called the brindled gnoo; it
was, however, in every other respect the same animal, as to its motions
and peculiarities. Toward the evening the Matabili warrior who
accompanied them pointed to a mimosa at a distance, and made signs to
the Major that there was a giraffe.

"I can not see him--do you, Alexander?" said the Major; "he points to
that mimosa with the dead stump on the other side of it, there. Yes, it
is one, I see the stump, as I called it, move; it must be the neck of
the animal. Let loose the dogs, Swanevelt," cried the Major, starting
off at full speed, and followed by Alexander, and Omrah, with the spare
horse. In a minute or two the giraffe was seen to get clear of the
mimosa, and then set off in an awkward, shambling kind of gallop; but
awkward as the gallop appeared, the animal soon left the Major behind.
It sailed along with incredible velocity, its long, swan-like neck
keeping time with its legs, and its black tail curled above its back.

"Push on, Alexander," cried the Major; "if ever there were seven-league
boots, that animal has a pair of them on. He goes like the wind; but he
can not keep it up long, depend upon it, and our horses are in capital
condition."

Alexander and the Major were now neck and neck, close to each other, at
full speed, when of a sudden the Major's horse stumbled, and fell upon
an ost