ent directions. He followed one set of them for some
time till the horse himself was found, but without saddle, bridle, or
rider.

This was Willem's horse, that had taken flight on the approach of the
elephants.

Congo had gone the wrong way for finding his master, and he now returned
upon the horse's tracks. This, of course, brought him to the place
where the elephant had first charged; and, on reaching the bank of the
river and looking over, he saw the situation in which the hunters were
placed. But the wounded elephant was there, and this, charging upon
him, hindered him from continuing the observation. He had seen enough
to knew that he must go to the camp for assistance, and this was just
what he did.

They passed the night by the pool, pleasantly enough. The joy of once
more being together would have deprived them of sleep, had it not been
for their extreme weariness. But Hans and the chief, seeing the other
three so exhausted, did not insist on hearing the details of the
dangerous adventure; and at an early hour the camp was buried in the
silence of slumber.

Two horses had been lost. This, under the circumstances, was a serious
misfortune; but their own lives had been miraculously preserved; and
none of them was now disposed to find fault with fortune for anything
that had occurred.

Next morning, they started back to the place where the giraffe-trap was
being constructed. On reaching it, they found Swartboy impatiently
waiting for their return. His expressions of joy at seeing them once
more safe and sound were accompanied with the declaration that they had
been more fortunate than he had expected, considering that they had gone
forth with only Congo for their guide.

CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE.

MISTAKES OF A NIGHT.

As nearly two weeks would be required for constructing the hopo, Groot
Willem determined on making another hunting expedition. There was
plenty of game in the immediate neighbourhood; but the chief strongly
protested against the firing of guns, lest the sounds should betray
their presence in the place.

Several giraffes had been seen in the mimosa groves, and the banks of
the river were marked with their spoor.

Macora objected to their being alarmed, as it would drive them away
before the pen could be got ready for them.

Groot Willem was a hunter, and out on a hunting expedition. This being
the case, he could not remain for two weeks idle; and taking Hendrik and
Congo alo