ith the
least trouble, the Bechuanas had destroyed a whole herd. This is the
usual economy practised by those who live in a land teeming with a too
great abundance of animal life.

To get away from the sickening scene thus presented to their view, even
Groot Willem was willing to continue the journey; and it was resumed,
all being thankful that the distance accomplished on the day before had
not been so long, by a mile or two, as it might have been.

Knowing that they were in the neighbourhood of Bechuanas, the Makololo
professed some fear for their cattle. They said that these might be
stolen or taken from them by force. But the hunters believed such fears
too flattering to the Bechuana character. From all they had heard of
the people composing that numerous nation, they were under the
impression that they were too cowardly and indolent to be regarded with
any apprehension.

The next morning, when continuing their journey, Arend, who was riding a
little in advance, suddenly reined up, at the same time, calling out--

"I see a kraal and a field of maize."

Groot Willem and Hendrik rode forward, and became convinced that Arend
was in the right. Almost at the same instant, the hunter descried other
objects in which he was more interested than in a village of Bechuanas,
or anything belonging to them. Two large elephants were seen moving
across the plain, in the direction of the maize-field.

"Let us steal upon them silently," suggested Willem. "We need not all
go. Two or three will be enough. Some one must stay with the cattle."

Saying this, he rode off, followed by Hendrik and Arend.

Hans assented to stay behind, attended by Swartboy; and Congo, with the
assistance of the Makololo, halted the cattle and pack-horses; thus
tarrying, they were witnesses of what they expected to prove an
interesting scene. They saw nothing to prevent the stalkers from
obtaining a fine opportunity for a shot; and they knew that a wounded
elephant seldom seeks safety in flight. One or both of the animals
would be killed; and the violent death of an elephant is, under all
circumstances, a spectacle painfully interesting.

"But for us," said Groot Willem, as he rode by the side of Hendrik,
"those elephants would destroy that field of maize. The owners of the
field could not prevent them, if they were to try. They cannot even
frighten them away from their work of devastation."

The young hunter was soon to be undeceived.