stoutly declared that he would
proceed no further for the present; at the same time, telling the others
that, if they were impatient to reach Graaf Reinet, they might go on
without him.

This, all three would willingly have done, had they dared. But they
knew that, on reaching home, they would be unable to give any
satisfactory explanation for deserting their companion. People would
inquire why they had not remained to assist the great hunter in his
praiseworthy enterprise. What answer could they give?

There was both honour and profit to be derived by delivering two young
giraffes to the Dutch consul, and they would not have been unwilling to
share in both, if the thing could have been conveniently accomplished.
For all that, they would have preferred returning home without further
delay, but for the determination of Willem to remain.

The four Makololo were also a little chafed at the delay. They were
anxious to see something of the wonders of civilisation, but their
impatience was not openly expressed. Before setting out, they had been
instructed by Macora in all things to be guided by Willem; and they had
no intention of disobeying.

Congo was the only one who was wholly indifferent to the future. His
home was with Groot Willem, and he seemed to have no more concern or
remembrance for Graaf Reinet than his dog Spoor'em.

Choosing a convenient place for their encampment within a few miles of
the Bechuana village, the youths resolved to stop for a while, and make
a final effort at capturing the camelopards. Should they succeed in
finding these animals, yet fail in taking any of them alive, Groot
Willem promised that he would make no further opposition to returning
home.

As all knew that the promise would be faithfully kept, they consented to
stay for a few days without showing any signs of reluctance.

Crossing the country with a general course to the south-west, ran a
stream, along which was a belt of timber, or rather a series of
disconnected copses. The trees were mostly mimosas. In every copse
could be seen some trees with torn branches, and twigs cut off, an
evidence that they had been browsed upon by the camelopards; while the
spoor of these animals appeared in many places along the edge of the
stream.

As the damage done to the mimosas, and the tracks in the mud, showed
signs of having been recently made, our hunters came to the conclusion
that giraffes could not be far off.

"Something w