stumbled in the act, and fell heavily upon
its flank.

The cob stopped as if by instinct; and hardly knowing what he was about,
Dick leaped down, avoided a kick by a quick jump, threw himself on to
the giraffe, kneeling upon its neck, and treating it as people do a
fallen horse, holding down its head upon the ground.

"Ah, you may kick and plunge," muttered Dick, panting and hot with his
exertions; "if a horse can't get up with his head held down, you can't."

And so it proved, for though the unfortunate giraffe kicked and plunged
as it lay upon its flank, going through the motions of galloping, it was
completely mastered without much call for effort. Certainly Dick's gun
was in his way, but he managed to unsling it with one hand, and threw it
and his hat upon the grass, while the cob stood by, snuffing, snorting,
and excited for a few moments at the giraffe's plunges, but settled down
directly after to graze.

The grass was torn up by the giraffe's hoofs, but finding its efforts
vain, it soon lay perfectly still, uttering a piteous sigh, as much as
to say, "There, kill me out of my misery!" to which Dick responded by
patting its neck and stroking its nose, as he gazed in the great
prominent appealing eye, and noted the gentle mien of the tall animal.

Just as he had made the giraffe be perfectly still, he heard a distant
hail, and looking up, there was Jack coming up at full gallop, waving
his gun over his head, and with his father close behind; for,
unknowingly, the race had led Dick somewhat in the direction taken by
his father and brother, who, after an unsuccessful gallop after a very
wild herd, had drawn rein and witnessed the end of the giraffe chase
through the glass.

"Why, Dick, where are the thorns?" cried his father, as they cantered
up.

"Forgot all about 'em, father. Isn't he a beauty?"

"Where is he shot?" said Mr Rogers.

"Shot? He isn't shot. I ran him down," cried Dick.

"Don't kill him, then," cried Jack.

"Not I. Shall I let him go?"

"No, no," cried Jack. "Let's take him back, and tame him."

"I think the taming is already done," said Mr Rogers. "Here, halter
him round the neck, and muzzle him with this, and you can tie another
thong on at the other side."

As he spoke he took a tethering halter from his saddle-bow; it was
slipped over the giraffe's head, another cord attached so that it could
be held on either side; and when this was done, Mr Rogers held one
rope, Jack the