its to which they had been long since trained, they
lay down close to the large fire that had been kindled by the edge of
the grove.

The night passed without any incidents to disturb them; but, just as day
broke, they were awakened by the barking of a dog, and soon after
greeted by a familiar voice.

It was that of Congo.

"I thought you would think better of us and return," said Hans, pleased
once more to see the face of the faithful Kaffir.

"Yaas, I come," answered Congo, "but not to stay. I go back again."

"Why! What's brought you, then?"

"To see baas Willem; but he no here. Tell him when he come back to wait
for Congo. Tell him wait two days, four days,--tell him always wait
till Congo come."

"But Willem will go to the house before he comes here, and you can see
him yourself."

"No; may be I off with the boer oxen. I work there now. Tell baas
Willem to wait for Congo."

"Certainly I shall do so," answered Hans; "but you are keeping something
hid from me. Why do you wish to see your master, if you are so offended
as to have forsaken him. What is your reason for staying behind?"

"Don't know," vaguely responded the Kaffir. "Dis fool Congo don't know
nuffin'."

"Der's one thing I mus say for Congo," said Swartboy, "he mos allers
tell the troof. He jus done so now."

The Kaffir smiled as though satisfied with Swartboy's remark.

After again requesting that Willem should be told to wait his return, he
hastened away, followed by the dog Spoor'em.

There was a mystery in the conduct of the man that Hans could not
comprehend in any other way than by taking the explanation he had
himself given. Congo seemed certainly either to be a fool or acting in
a very foolish way.

As the morning advanced, Hans began to believe that the trackers had
proved successful in their search. The spoor of the giraffes must have
been found and followed, or they would have been back before then.

From his knowledge of Willem, Hans was certain that once on the spoor he
would never leave it as long as he had strength to continue. The
giraffes had become tame, and there was no reason why they should not be
easily retaken. But just as the sun had mounted up to the meridian,
this hope was dispelled by the appearance of Willem and his comrade
coming back empty-handed.

"You have been unsuccessful," said Hans, as they rode up. "Well, never
mind; there is still a hope left us, and that is, to get safely home."