ny days.

Two more were passed upon the spot, and then our young adventurers, who,
although young in years, were old in friendship, came very near parting
company. At this crisis, a spectacle was presented to their eyes that
had the happy effect of once more uniting them for a common purpose.

CHAPTER FIFTY TWO.

A HOPELESS CHASE.

While the hunters were at breakfast, they were startled by the dull,
heavy sound of footfalls, and the yelping of wild dogs. A quarter of a
mile to the eastward they saw approaching them a large drove of
springboks, accompanied by a band of giraffes. More than a hundred of
the antelopes, and between twenty and thirty camelopards were flying
before a few _wilde honden_.

The wild hounds of South Africa hunt in packs, and proceed upon a
well-organised plan. The whole pack is never engaged in running upon
the view. Some remain in reserve, and, guided by the voices of those
that are running, frequently save space by cutting off angles. This
they can do whenever the chase is not made in a straight line.

In this manner they relieve each other, and the pursuit is continued
until the game becomes exhausted and is easily overtaken.

The perseverance, energy, and cunning displayed by these animals is
something wonderful.

They do not commence a hunt until driven to it by hunger, and then it is
often carried on for many hours, their tenacity of purpose being shown
by their continuing the chase till their victim falls down before them.
They were in full run after the springboks, and one of those animals was
sure to reward their skill and labour by affording them a dinner.

The giraffes were foolish enough to think, or act, as though the _wilde
honden_ were hunting them; and in place of remaining still and
permitting the dogs to pass, or turning to one side, the foolish
creatures ran on with the springboks. At the time they came up with the
hunters, they were already exhibiting signs of distress. To Groot
Willem it was a gratifying sight. A herd of giraffes was at hand. Some
of them were evidently young ones. Three of them he observed were
apparently but a few weeks old. The very things for which he had
travelled so far were now before his eyes, apparently coming to deliver
themselves up.

It was not until the springboks swerved to the right to avoid the
horsemen, that these little animals became separated from the giraffes.
The latter continued on along the edge of the stream