uld not be
contented to eat, until he had looked to the property in which he
professed to have a much greater interest than his companions, and he
would not sit down to the breakfast-table till he had paid a visit to
his darling giraffes.

Walking out of the house he went toward the sheds where the cattle and
native servants had been housed for the night. On entering the hut
where he had left his black companion the evening before, he had before
him a melancholy evidence of the evils of intemperance. The four
Makololo were rolling about upon the floor, moaning heavily, as though
in the last agonies of death.

Swartboy and Congo, more accustomed to the effects of strong drink, only
showed by their heavy breathing that they were endeavouring to recover
from their night's debauch by indulging in a sound slumber.

They were quickly roused to consciousness by Willem, who used the toe of
his boot for the purpose; though even this rude appliance had no effect
on any of the four Makololo.

The Kaffir sprang to his feet, and, as though trying to carry his head
in his hands, reeled out of the room. He was followed by his master,
who saw that all efforts at inducing the Makololo to resume their
journey would be for several hours unavailable.

On moving around to the shed where the two giraffes had been tied,
Willem was somewhat alarmed by an indescribable expression seen on the
features of Congo.

The eyes seemed as if about to start from the Kaffir's head!

The distance between his chin and nose had alarmingly extended, and his
whole appearance formed a frightful picture of astonishment and fear.

To Willem there needed no explanation. One glance was enough.

The camelopards were gone!

The Bushman and Kaffir had promised to watch over them in turns, and had
both neglected their duty by getting drunk.

Willem uttered not one word of reproach. Hope, fear, and chagrin kept
him for a moment silent.

Within his mind was struggling a faint idea that the giraffes had been
removed by some servants of the boer to a place not far-away,--perhaps
to a more secure shed.

This hope was dashed with the fear that they had been stolen, or had
helped themselves to freedom, and might never again be found.

During the first moments of his agony and despair Groot Willem had the
good sense to blame himself. He had been as negligent as either of the
two terror-stricken men now standing before him.

He should not have left to o