impatient to stay longer on the spot; and,
after getting a few further directions, they bade the strangers good day
and hastened on towards the house.

On entering its enclosure the first person they encountered was the boer
Mynheer Van Ormon.

"I see pat luck mit you, mine poys," said the Dutchman, as they rode up
to him. "I knowed it would pe so. The cameels have goed too far for
you."

"Yes, too far to the south," answered Willem. "We have heard of them,
and must be off immediately. Where are our companions?"

"They goed away yester morgen to live where the oxen get grass. They
now waiting for you at the south."

"That's all right," said Hendrik. "We must hasten to join them; but I
think we'd be better of something to eat first. I'm starving. Mynheer
Van Ormon, we must again trespass on your hospitality."

"So you shall, mine poys, mit pleasure all around; put who told you I
vas Mynheer Van Ormon?"

"The same two men who told us about the giraffes. They were looking for
some stray horses."

"Dat mush be mine neighbour Cloots, who live fifteen miles to the east
of thish place. They say they see the cameels. Where an' when they see
'em?"

"Yesterday morning, about ten miles south of this place, they said."

"May be dey be gone to Graaf Reinet to say you are coming. Ha, he, hi!
Dat ish ver' goot."

The boer then conducted his guests towards the dwelling. On passing a
hut by the way, the hunters were surprised at seeing Congo suddenly
disappear around a corner!

On the part of the Kaffir, the encounter appeared both unexpected and
undesired, as he had started back apparently to avoid them.

This was a new mystery.

"Ho Congo! come back here," shouted Willem. "Why are you here? Why are
you not with the others?"

The Kaffir did not condescend to make answer, but skulked into the hut.

The boer now proceeded to explain that the Kaffir had expressed a wish
to be employed at his place, and had declared that he would proceed no
further with his former masters, who had cruelly ill-treated him for
allowing the giraffes to escape. He denied having done anything to
influence this strange decision.

"This cannot be," said Willem. "There must be some mistake. He is not
telling the truth if he says that we beat him. I may have spoken to him
somewhat harshly; I admit having done so, but I did not know he was so
sensitive. I'm sorry, if I have offended him, and am willing to
apologise."

Myn