of the
following morning reached the camp, where Hans, Arend, and the others
had remained.

Swartboy, in the joy of seeing them again, increased by the sight of the
giraffes, declared that he would never more call Congo a fool.

This promise he has never been known to break.

In the afternoon, the journey towards Graaf Reinet was resumed.
Spoor'em being carried for two or three days on the back of one of the
oxen, snugly ensconced in a large willow basket, woven by Congo for that
express purpose.

CHAPTER SEVENTY THREE.

CONCLUSION.

One evening, after a long day's journey, our adventurers found
themselves within a few miles of home. A gallop of an hour or two,
would place them in the society of the relatives and friends from whom
they had been so long absent. Arend and Hendrik were impatient to ride
forward, in advance of their companions. But each refrained from making
the proposition to the other.

Greatly to their annoyance, they saw Hans and Willem halt at the house
of a boer, and commence making arrangements for passing the night.

This the two did with as little unconcern as though they were still
hundreds of miles from home.

Both Willem and Hans possessed a fair share of old-fashioned Dutch
philosophy, that told them no circumstances should hinder them from
being merciful to the animals that had served them so long and so well.

Early next morning, as the hunters passed through Graaf Reinet, on the
way to their own homes, all the inhabitants of the village turned out to
bid them welcome.

By most of the people dwelling in the place, the young giraffes were
looked upon with as much astonishment as the four Makololo felt while
gazing upon the spire of the village church.

There was not an inhabitant of the place over ten years of age who had
not heard something of the expedition on which our adventurers had set
forth some months before. All knew the objects for which it had been
undertaken; and course the majority had prophesied another failure in
the accomplishment of what so many experienced hunters had already
failed to effect.

"We are now returning home in a respectable manner," remarked Hendrik to
the others, as he observed the enthusiastic spirit in which they were
welcomed by the people.

"Yes," answered Arend, "and it is to Willem's perseverance that we owe
all this."

"I don't know that I've displayed any great perseverance as you call
it," said Willem. "I was as anxious as