ng with us instead of going after the buck. He would just have
enjoyed this."

"Yes, and made black Mak jealous. He doesn't like it when he's left
behind. I say, shan't we be too late?"

"N-no, I think not," replied Mark. "Mak knows best about this sort of
thing; only we had better step out, for we ought to take back a few
brace for the larder. I say, what a lot we do eat!"

Half an hour after the grove-like edge of the forest was reached, and
waiting for a chance the boys let drive with both barrels right into a
spot where they could see the birds of which they were in search
clustering together quite low down upon some nearly leafless boughs, and
for a few minutes the Illaka was busy enough picking up the dead and
chasing the wounded runners, and tying their legs together so as to make
a bundle of the toothsome birds.

Then tramping on along the edge of the forest in search of another
resting-place, they tramped in vain, for the pintados for some reason or
another were exceedingly wary that morning, flock after flock going
whirring off before their persecutors could get within shot.

"Well," said Mark, at last, "it is no use going any farther, so we may
as well get back with what we have shot. My word, it is a poor lot! I
wonder whether the doctor has had better luck. If he hasn't, with so
many mouths to feed we shall be running short. Well, let's get back;"
and in spite of invitations from Mak to "Come, shoot," the boys shook
their heads and trudged back in a rather disappointed frame of mind.

"It never rains but it pours," grumbled Mark, as they reached the
waggon, for he was greeted by the doctor, who had been back some time,
with, "Is that all you have got?"

"Yes," said Mark sourly, for he wanted his breakfast. "How many
springbok have you shot?"

"Ah, you may well ask that. I made three misses, your father two, and
then Bob Bacon had a turn, and he says he hit, but the last I saw of the
one he shot at was when it was going like the wind."

"I say," said Mark, "what's to be done, doctor? Father said we were to
lay up game enough to last two days, and--bother! Here's Dan coming up
grinning, to ask what he's to cook this morning."

"I don't know," said the doctor; "but hallo! Whom have we got here?"

"The pigmies!" cried Mark excitedly. "Oh, doctor, I hope they haven't
come to tell us that your little patient is dead!"

"Well, it's plain enough that they have not," replied the doctor.