The Lamoille news. (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1877-1881, 1878-05-08
HYDE PARK, w. WEDNESDAY MAY 8, 1878.
Hunting the Giraffe.

The most general and successful
method Of hunting this noble animal is
the one practiced by the sword-htintss,
or Aggsgeefs, in Southern Nubia. They
are mounted on the swiftsst dronedaries,
and as soon as flock Of giraffes has
been espied in the steppe, the Lunters
assemble. They use no saddle, and can
keep, therefore, ON the top Of the fatty
protuberance only by firm appliance
and grasp of their muscular knee-ioints,
Their bodies are Of a dark bronze hue,
AMI are always shining with an abund-
ance of grease. From the left shoulder
bangles the long and broad cross hilted
sword, sheathed in a reddish-colored
leather scabbsrd. The party is followed
at some distance by an attendant. who
carries water in leather bag, and raw
sorghum grains previously soaked in
water. This food, called beltIeh with
mouthful OF water, constitutes all the
food that the frugal girsffe-hunter
stands in need of.
A careful search has finally revealed
the spot where little flock of giraffes
has gathered. The hunting company
approaches most noiselessly, hiding it.
self when possible behind trees and
thickets. When near enough, the riders
emerge from the thickets, and by loud
clicks excite their dromedaries to speed
on with their utmost power after the
game. Then then draw their swords,
their strange hunting weapon, the blades
glittering brightly in the sunbeams.
The doomed victims soon become aware
of their prosecutors, and in their rapid
fight wave their long necks forward and
backward. Dry branches break and
crack under the step of their quickly
moving hoofs; stones, pebbles, roots
and earth are whirled in all directions,
and clouds of dust fill the atmosphere.
In a desperate, frantic chase the hunter
follows his game, which cunningly tries
to evade or outstrip its unmerciful pur-
suer by cross-steps and jumps; but the
respondent look of the exhausted victim
already presages that its doom is sealed,
and that an escape is utterly impossible.
The velocity of the pursued is no longer
equal to that of the pursuer, and when
its pace begins to slacken, the livid
tongue, covered with froth, protrudes
out of the mouth, and the glaring, des-
: crate eyeballs starting from their SOCK
arts, exhibit the anxiety by which the
animal is .,Jpsl4ranfl VthA,, the hurte~
has arrived at sufficiently short dis
tance, he leans forward on his seat, takes
aim, and with his ponderous sword
hamstrings his victim. Rarely is a
second blow needed to fell the colossal
frame of the pursued giraffe. The ami
NAL falls painting into the grass, or
crouches down upon its hind legs in con-
WILSON'S, and kicks to right and left,
whirling up clouds of dust.
By loud cry the Nubian sportsman
announces his victory, and calls together
his companions in the chase. Those
who are not actually engaged in pursu-
ing or staying another victim from all
sides readily respond to the call. They
dismount from their dromedaries and
dispatch the victim by few sword-cuts
into the throat and the extremities.
They fay the animal on the spot, and
divide the meat among the party, who
cut it lengthwise into strips. When the
meat has been thoroughly dried in the
sun, it is used as provision, and stands
in high favor with hunters and travellers.