herd of them were seen standing together browsing on the leaves of the
mimosa. They made a long circuit to turn them, and drive them toward the
camp, and in this they succeeded. The animals set off at their usual
rapid pace, but did not keep it up long, as there were several not full
grown among them, which could not get over the ground so fast as the
large male of the preceding day. After a chase of three miles, they
found that the animals' speed was rapidly decreasing, and they were
coming up with them. When within a hundred yards, Alexander fired and
wounded a female which was in the rear. The Major pushed on with the
dogs after a large male, and it stopped at bay under a mimosa, kicking
most furiously at the dogs. The Major leveled his rifle, and brought the
animal down with his first shot. It rose again, however, and for a
hundred yards went away at a fast pace; but it again fell, to rise no
more. The female which Alexander had wounded received another shot, and
was then also prostrated."

"I have killed a _giraffe_," said the Major, standing by the side of the
one he had killed. "It has been a long way to travel, and there have
been some dangers to encounter for the sake of performing this feat; but
we have all our follies, and are eager in pursuit of just as great
trifles through life; so that in this I am not perhaps more foolish than
the rest of mankind. I have obtained my wishes--I have killed a giraffe;
and now I don't care how soon we go back again."

"Nor do I," replied Alexander; "for I can say with you, when we arrive
in England, I too have killed a giraffe; so you will not be able to
boast over me. By Swinton's account if we stay here much longer, we
shall have to kill Matabili, which I am not anxious to do; therefore, I
now say with you, I don't care how soon we go back to the Cape."

As they were not more than two miles from the wagon, they rode back, and
sent the Griquas to bring in the flesh of the animals; Swinton not
caring for the skins, as he had already procured some in Namaqua-land,
and the weight of them would be so very great for the wagon. On their
return, they had some conversation with the Griquas, who candidly
acknowledged that it was very likely that the Matabili king would
attempt to cut them off, although they appeared not at all afraid of his
making the attempt. They, however, readily consented to return the next
morning. That night, a messenger arrived to the Matabili chief who was