ch they had to impart to the Major was soon given, and he
was highly delighted at the intelligence:--"And now," said he, "what do
you mean to do, Wilmot?--go back again, of course, but by what route?"

"Why, Major, you and Swinton have been so kind in coming with me thus
far, and I have been so successful in my expedition, that I shall now
leave you to decide as you please. I have effected all that I wished,
my business is over, and I am ready to meet you in any way you choose;
anything you decide upon I shall agree to willingly and join in
heartily, so now speak your wishes."

"Well, I will speak mine very frankly," replied the Major. "We have had
some sport in this country, it is true, but not so much as I could have
wished; for game is rather scarce, with the exception of elephants and
sea-cows. Now I should like to cross the mountains, and get into the
Bechuana and Bushman country, where game is as plentiful as I believe
water is scarce; we can return that way, if you please, almost as well
as we can through the Caffre country--what say you, Swinton?"

"Well, I am of your opinion. As Wilmot says, business is over, and we
have nothing to do but to amuse ourselves; I am very anxious to pass
through the country, as I shall add greatly to my collections, I have no
doubt; but it must not be expected that we shall fare as well as we have
done in this; it will be the dry season, and we may be in want of water
occasionally."

"I am equally desirous of going through that country, where I hope to
shoot a giraffe,--that is my great ambition," replied Wilmot; "therefore
we may consider that we are all agreed, and the affair is settled; but
the question is, how shall we proceed back? We must return to Hinza's
territory and send back the Caffres. Shall we return to Butterworth?"

"I think that must depend upon circumstances, and we can talk it over as
we go along: the first point to ascertain is, the best passage over the
mountains; and it appears to me that we shall be diverging much too far
to the eastward if we return to Butterworth; but the Caffres will soon
give us the necessary information."

"I wonder if the quarrel between Hinza and Yoosani has been made up,"
said Alexander; "for we must pass through the Tambookie tribe if we
cross the mountains, and if there is war between them we may meet with
difficulty."

"We shall hear as soon as we have crossed the Bashee river," replied
Swinton; "and then we must decid