itzburg two or three months,
again to set out northward with the same object in view. He however
relied less on trading than his own skill as a hunter to load up his
waggon.

"If you find my boy well enough, and think fit to bring him along with
you, do so; though don't tell him of your intention until the time for
starting has arrived, or he will not settle down to his work in the
town," said Maloney.

His friend promised to carry out his wishes, and at last, their various
plans being arranged, they gave the word to their followers to go to
sleep, while they themselves retired to their respective waggons.

A resting-place had been constructed for the young chief and his wife
under the waggon, and little Lionel, who did not occupy much space,
crept into his corner on the top of the cargo beneath the tilt.

Before lying down Hendricks took a turn round the camp to ascertain that
the guards were properly posted and on the watch. This precaution his
friend did not appear to have considered necessary, a single Hottentot
alone being left to watch the cattle. The night was calm and clear,
enabling him to see a considerable distance both up and down the valley.

No sounds broke the silence, and if there were lions or other wild
animals in the neighbourhood, they did not make themselves audible.
Satisfied that all was right, he at length got into his usual berth, and
was soon fast asleep.

CHAPTER THREE.

LOST AND FOUND.

Hendricks was awakened by the voice of Maloney shouting--

"Do you know what has become of my son Denis? The boy is not in his
berth, and none of my people can tell where he has gone. They all
declare that they did not see him leave the camp, and though I have been
shouting to him for the last ten minutes, he has not replied to me."

The hunter, springing out of the waggon, answered--

"As I have been fast asleep I cannot tell you, but the chances are that
he has taken his gun to show his skill as a sportsman, and hopes to
bring back a pallah or springboc for breakfast. We must ascertain in
what direction he has gone. Perhaps some of my Hottentots who went down
with the oxen to the stream may have seen him."

Neither of the Hottentots, however, could give any account of the
missing boy. The men who had been on guard were also questioned, but
none of them had seen him, and from the answers they gave it seemed more
than probable that they had been nodding at their posts. One of them at