"We have another hope besides that," replied Willem. "We have heard of
the giraffes. They were seen yesterday morning about seven miles to the
southward of this spot. They are between us and our home, and we are
not hunters if we don't recover them yet. We must be off after them
immediately."

Swartboy and the Makololo were directed to drive in the cattle, and all
commenced making preparations for a departure.

"We shall miss Congo and Spoor'em," said Willem, while the cattle were
being loaded. "We shall want them badly now."

"Ah!" exclaimed Hans, "I had nearly forgotten to tell you that Congo was
here this morning, and wished me to say you were to wait until he came
to you. He was very anxious to see you, and said you were to wait for
him four days, or longer, if he did not see you in that time."

"Fortunately there will be no need for that delay," rejoined Willem. "I
have just seen the ungrateful rascal,--not half an hour ago."

"Indeed. And what did he want?"

"Only to dun me for the wages due him for the last year of his services.
I have never been more deceived about a man in my life. I could not
have believed it possible that Congo would thus turn traitor and desert
me."

The conversation was discontinued, as all became busy in making ready
for a start.

CHAPTER SIXTY EIGHT.

LIGHT OUT OF DARKNESS.

In half an hour afterwards the hunters had broken up their camp.

"I feel sorry about having to leave Congo behind," said Willem, as the
cattle were being driven across the stream. "Not that I care a straw
for him, the ungrateful wretch, but that we may be unable to find the
spoor of the giraffes, not having him with us. He and Spoor'em would be
worth everything now."

"I think," rejoined his brother, "there's not much chance of our
recovering them. We are now in a settled country where they will find
but little rest. They will either be driven out of it or killed by
whoever comes across them."

"I have thought of all that," replied Willem; "still, I shall hope for a
day or two longer. I can better survive the loss, if nobody else
succeeds in obtaining the reward offered for them; but should that
brother of whom the boer spoke, as being gone on a similar expedition to
ours,--should he perform the feat we have failed to accomplish, then I
shouldn't care to live much longer."

Before they had gone very far, all noticed that there was something
wrong with Swartboy, who seemed also incl