eded. 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 levelled 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 the 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 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 waggon, they rode back,
and sent the Griquas to bring in the flesh of the animals; Swinton not
caring about the skins, as he had already procured some in Namaqua-land,
and the weight of them would be so very great for the waggon. 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
escorting them. What was the communication of course our travellers
could not tell; but their suspicions were confirmed by the behaviour of
the man.