k. "And now, boys, are we on for the fun, that's the
question?"

"We just are," cried Hoste, whose dare-devil recklessness was akin to
that of Carhayes. The other two acquiesced silently, but as they caught
each other's glance, a curious satirical twinkle lurked in the eyes of
both men.

"A case of the tail wagging the dog," presently whispered Payne to
Eustace. "Two wise men led by two fools!"

The track, rough and stony, took longer to follow than they had
expected. Moreover they had to exercise extreme care, lest the clink of
the hoof-stroke of a shod horse perchance stumbling on the rocky way
should be borne to the quick, watchful ears of those they were
following. At length, however, the brow of the ridge was gained, and
there before them lay a rolling expanse of open country, yet not so open
as Carhayes had predicted, for it was pretty thickly dotted with mimosa,
and the grass was long, coarse, and tangled, rendering rapid riding
dangerous in parts.

Suddenly they came right upon a kraal nestling in a mimosa covered
valley. Three old hags were seated against one of the beehive shaped
huts, otherwise the place seemed quite deserted. No children were to be
seen--not even a half-starved cur skulking around--and of men or cattle
there was no sign. The spoor they were following had grown very
indistinct, and here seemed to split up into several directions.

The old women, frightful, toothless crones, all wrinkles and flaps,
showed no signs of alarm at this unexpected appearance of the invading
white men. On the contrary, they began to abuse them roundly in a
shrill, quavering treble.

"Macbeth _in excelsis_!" murmured Eustace at sight of them.

"Stop that cackling, you old hell-cats!" said Carhayes with a growl like
that of a savage dog, as he drew his revolver and pointed it right at
them, a pantomime which they thoroughly understood, for their
high-pitched abuse dropped to a most doleful howl. "Here, Eustace. You
can patter the lingo better than any of us, and I haven't the patience,
damn it! Ask these old rag bags which way the fellows with the oxen
took."

"We know nothing about men or oxen," came the prompt and whimpering
reply.

"You do know. Tell us quickly!" repeated Eustace warningly.

Sullenly the first disclaimer was reiterated.

A furious expletive burst from Carhayes.

"We can't lose any more time being fooled by these infernal old hags!"
he cried. "If they don't tell us befor