one of those inferior varieties of the human
race which that country produces. He was a man of about forty years of
age, tall and muscular, with features well formed, and that expressed
both intelligence and courage. His complexion was tawny brown, not
black; and his hair was more like that of a European than an African.

These observations were made by the young hunter in six seconds; for the
person who had thus suddenly appeared before him allowed no more time to
elapse before setting off from the spot, and in such haste that the
hunter thought he must be retreating in affright. And yet there was no
sign of fear accompanying the act. Some other motive must have urged
him to that precipitate departure.

There was; and Congo was the first to discover it. The man had gone in
the direction of the river.

"Water, water!" exclaimed the Kaffir; "he want water."

The truth of this remark was soon made evident; for, on following the
stranger with their eyes, they saw him rush into the stream, plunge his
head under water and commence filling himself in the same manner as he
would have done, had his body been a bottle!

Hendrik and Arend, having heard the reports of the roer, feared that
something might have gone wrong, and galloped forward, leaving Hans and
Swartboy to bring up the pack-horses.

They reached the scene just as the African, after having quenched his
thirst, had returned to the tree where the young hunter and Congo had
remained.

Without taking the slightest notice of either of the others, the man
walked up to Groot Willem, and, with an air of dignity, natural to most
semi-barbarous people, began making a speech. Grateful for having been
relieved from his imprisonment, he evidently believed that duty required
him to say something, whether it might be understood or not.

"Can _you_ understand him, Congo?" asked Willem.

"Yaas, a little I can," answered the Kaffir; and in his own peculiar
manner he interpreted what the African had to say.

It was simply that he owed his life to Groot Willem, and that the latter
had only to ask for whatever he required, and it should be given him.

"That is certainly promising a good deal," said the sarcastic Hendrik,
"and I hope that Willem will not be too greedy in his request, but will
leave something for the rest of mankind."

Hans and Swartboy at this moment came up with the pack-horses; and,
selecting a spot near the place where the cow had been killed, the p