efore long, the bodies of three huge monsters
were seen moving slowly towards them. Reserving fire until one came
within a few yards of their position, both hunters discharged their
pieces almost simultaneously.

With a cry that resembled the combined snorting of a hog and the
neighing of a horse, the "zeekoe" faced back towards the lagoon; but,
instead of moving off, it commenced turning slowly round and round, as a
dog may be sometimes seen to do before laying himself down to repose.
In a similar fashion did the hippopotamus lie down to rise no more.

Three others were shot on that same night, making fourteen hippopotami
killed within twenty-four hours. This was a greater number, so Macora
said, than had been killed by his own people within the two preceding
years.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN.

TO THE GIRAFFE COUNTRY.

After passing some four or five weeks in hippopotamus hunting, Groot
Willem became anxious to engage in the real business for which he had
undertaken the hunting expedition.

They had collected more than seven hundred pounds' weight of the finest
ivory, but this success did not hinder them from becoming weary of a
pursuit that was no longer amusement, but business.

From several conversations held with Macora about giraffes, they had
learnt that the young of those animals could not be taken alive without
the greatest ingenuity and trouble.

Where camelopards are discovered they can easily be run down and shot;
but to secure the young unharmed, is a different affair, and an
undertaking, which, from Macora's account, promised to occupy all the
time that the hunters wished to remain away from Graaf Reinet.

Groot Willem was anxious to secure the name, fame, and reward, now
depending on the delivery of the two young giraffes to the Dutch Consul.
Hendrik and Arend wished to return to their sweethearts; and Hans was
longing to under take his intended voyage to Europe.

Under these circumstances, a proposal from Willem, that they should make
a move, was well received by all.

When the intention and object of their leaving was made known to Macora,
the chief seemed in much trouble.

"I cannot allow you to go alone," said he; "there would be danger in
your journey to my native land, perhaps death. Instead of capturing
camelopards alive, you might leave your bones to bleach upon the plain.
You must not go alone. Though we may not procure what you are in search
of, I shall be your companion, and my b