n found among the branches of the
pandanus. He went on to say, that, during the time he had been detained
in the tree, he had made several attempts to get down and steal off, but
on each occasion had found the buffalo waiting to receive him upon her
horns. He was suffering terribly with thirst when he heard the first
shot fired by Groot Willem, and perceived that assistance was near.

The chief concluded his narrative by inviting the hunters to accompany
him the next morning to his kraal; where he promised to show them such
hospitality as was in his power. On learning that his home was down the
river, and at no great distance from it, the invitation was at once
accepted.

"One thing this man has told us," remarked Willem, "which pleases me
very much. We have learnt that there is or has been a hippopotamus near
our camping-ground, and perhaps we shall not have far to travel before
commencing our premeditated war against them."

"Question him about sea-cows, Cong," said Hendrik. "Ascertain if there
are many of them about here."

In answer to the Kaffir's inquiries, the chief stated that hippopotami
were not often seen in that part of the river; but that, a day's journey
farther down, there was a large lagoon, through which the stream ran;
there, sea-cows were as plentiful as the stars in the sky.

"That is just the place we have been looking for," said Willem; "and
now, Congo, question him about camelopards."

Macora could hold out but little hopes of their meeting giraffes
anywhere on that part of the Limpopo. He had heard of one or two having
been occasionally seen; but it was not a giraffe country, and they were
stray animals.

"Ask him if he knows where there is such a country," demanded Willem,
who seemed more interested in learning something about giraffes than
either of his companions.

Macora could not or would not answer this question without taking his
own time and way of doing it. He stated that the native country of
himself and his tribe was far to the north and west; that they had been
driven from their home by the tyranny of the great Zooloo King,
Moselekatse, who claimed the land and levied tribute upon all the petty
chiefs around him.

Macora further stated that, having in some mysterious manner lost the
good opinion of Sekeletu and other great chiefs of the Makololo,--his
own people,--they would no longer protect him, and that he and his tribe
were compelled to leave their homes, and mig