mpopo River was too far from Graaf Reinet for the young hunters to
think of reaching it with wagons and oxen. The journey might be made,
but it would take up too much time; and they were impatient to reach
what Groot Willem had long called "The Promised Land."

In order, therefore, to do their travelling in as little time as
possible, they had taken no oxen; but, mounted on good horses, had
hastened by the nearest route to the banks of the Limpopo, avoiding in
place of seeking adventures by the way. Besides their own
saddle-horses, six others were furnished with pack-saddles, and lightly
laden with ammunition, clothing, and such other articles as might be
required. The camp where we now encounter them is a temporary
halting-place on the Limpopo. They have succeeded in crossing the
river, and are now on the borders of that land so long represented to
them as being a hunter's paradise. A toilsome journey is no longer
before them; but only amusement, of a kind so much appreciated that they
have travelled several hundred miles to enjoy it.

We have stated that, in undertaking this expedition, the youths were
influenced by different motives. This was to a great extent true; and
yet they had a common purpose beside that of mere amusement. The consul
for the Netherlands had been instructed by his government to procure a
young male and female giraffe, to be forwarded to Europe. Five hundred
pounds had been offered for the pair safely delivered either at Cape
Town or Port Natal; and several parties of hunters that had tried to
procure these had failed. They had shot and otherwise killed
camelopards by the score, but had not succeeded in capturing any young
ones alive.

Our hunters had left home with the determination to take back a pair of
young giraffes, and to pay all expenses of their expedition by this, as
also by the sale of hippopotamus teeth. The hope was not an
unreasonable one. They knew that fortunes had been made in procuring
elephants' tusks, and also that the teeth of the hippopotamus were the
finest of ivory, and commanded a price four times greater than any other
sent to the European market.

But the capturing of the young camelopards was the principal object of
their expedition. The love of glory was stronger than the desire of
gain, especially in Groot Willem, who as a hunter eagerly longed to
accomplish a feat which had been attempted by so many others without
success. In his mind, the fame of