k had ever encountered chacmas before;
yet, immediately on seeing them, all seemed aroused to the highest pitch
of fury it was possible for canine nature to attain. Simultaneously
they rushed towards the baboons, baying savagely as they ran.

Sheer instinct seemed to have stirred them to this animosity against
animals whose aspect, in some respects, resembled their own.

"Ride forward," shouted Willem, "or our dogs will be killed."

Up to this time the baboons had shown no disposition to retreat. They
appeared to think that the trouble of fighting dogs was not so great as
that of returning up the mountain; but at the first report of Groot
Willem's roer, they scattered off after a fashion that left the dogs not
the slightest chance of overtaking them.

Only one of them remained behind, and it was the animal that had
received the shot. Being wounded, it was immediately attacked by the
dogs, who could not be choked off till they had torn the ugly brute into
shreds.

CHAPTER THIRTY NINE.

AMONG THE MIMOSAS.

The hunters were now intent upon but one object,--that of procuring the
giraffes. The roar of a lion near the camp could not have drawn them
out of it. An elephant carrying many pounds of ivory was a sight that
did not awaken sufficient interest to tempt a pursuit. All had a full
appreciation of the task to be accomplished before they could return to
their home, and they would allow nothing to interfere with the business
before them.

By the side of the mimosa grove, which was now to be the scene of their
labours, ran a small stream. On its banks they soon discovered the
spoor of giraffes. Some of the tracks were of small dimensions,
evidently the hoof-marks of young calves. Groot Willem was in high
spirits. There was once more a prospect of satisfying his hunter
ambition. His companions, though not so confident of success, were
equally as anxious to obtain it.

The day after their arrival on the borders of the _cameel-doorn_ forest,
a drove of giraffes was seen coming out from among the timber and making
their way to the stream.

The timid animals, unaware of their proximity to man, walked on until
within one hundred and fifty yards of the spot where the hunters stood,
before seeing the latter. They then turned suddenly, and with a swift
but awkward gait retreated westward across the open plain, and entirely
away from the mimosa forest. Hendrik and Arend were with some
difficulty restraine