his
place along with his horse."

"That's true," answered Hendrik, "and our next move will be to find out
where he parted from his saddle."

"Let us go back," said Willem, "and more carefully examine the tracks."

During this conversation, the hunters had reloaded their rifles, and now
remounted for the purpose of riding back.

"Baas Willem," suggested Congo, "let Spoor'em try 'bout here little
more."

This suggestion was adopted, and Congo, setting on the hound, proceeded
to describe a larger circle around the spot.

After reaching a part of the plain where they had not yet been, the
Kaffir called out to them to come to him.

They rode up, and were again shown the spoor of Arend's horse leading
away from where its carcass was now lying, and in the opposite direction
from the camp.

It was evident that the horse had been farther off than the spot where
its remains now rested. It had probably lost its rider beyond, and was
on its return to the camp when killed by the lion.

Once more Spoor'em started along the track, Congo keeping close to his
tail, the two horsemen riding anxiously after.

But we must return to the camp, and follow the trail of the lost hunter
by a means more sure than even the keen scent of Spoor'em.

CHAPTER SEVEN.

THE LOST HUNTER.

As Arend came up to the horse that had wandered from the camp, the
animal had arrived at the edge of an extensive thicket, and was
apparently determined upon straying still farther. To avoid being
caught or driven back, it rushed in among trees, taking a path or trace
made by wild animals.

Arend followed.

The path was too narrow to allow of his heading the stray; and,
apprehensive of losing it altogether, the youth followed on in hopes of
coming to a wider track, where he might have a chance of passing the
runaway and turning it towards the camp.

This hope seemed about to be realised, as the truant emerged from the
thicket and entered upon an open plain clothed with low heath,--the
_Erica vestila_, loaded with white blossoms.

The hunter was no longer obliged to follow upon the heels of the
runaway,--the horse; and spurring his own steed, he made an attempt to
get past it. But the horse, perhaps inspired by a recollection of the
pack-saddle and its heavy load, broke off into a gallop.

Arend followed, increasing his own speed in like proportion. When
nearly across the plain, the runaway suddenly stopped and then bolted
off at right angl