twenty, or three times that number. Now, do you
understand what makes me so gay?"

"Oh!" exclaimed Hendrik, as well as the others, who now began to
perceive what their father was so joyed about, "you think we can obtain
more tusks in these parts?"

"Precisely so. I think there are many elephants here. I feel certain of
it from the quantity of their spoor I have already noticed. We have our
guns, and fortunately, plenty of ammunition. We are all pretty fair
shots--why can we not obtain more of these valuable trophies?"

"But we shall," continued Von Bloom. "I know we shall, because I
recognise the hand of God in sending us this wealth in the midst of our
misery--after we had lost everything. More will come by the guiding of
the same hand. So be of good cheer, my children! We shall not want--we
shall yet have plenty--we may be rich!"

It was not that any of those young creatures cared much about being
rich, but because they saw their father so happy, that they broke out
into something more than a murmur of applause. It was, in fact, a cheer,
in which both Totty and Swartboy joined. It rang over the little lake,
and caused the birds about settling to roost to wonder what was going
on. There was no happier group in all Africa than stood at that moment
upon the shore of that lonely little vley.

CHAPTER XIX.

TURNED HUNTERS.

The field-cornet, then, had resolved upon turning hunter by
profession--a hunter of elephants; and it was a pleasant reflection to
think, that this occupation promised, not only exciting sport, but great
profit. He knew that it was not so easy a matter to succeed in killing
such large and valuable game as elephants. He did not suppose that in a
few weeks or months he would obtain any great quantities of their ivory
spoils; but he had made up his mind to spend even years in the pursuit.
For years he should lead the life of a Bushman--for years his sons would
be "Bush-boys," and he hoped that in time his patience and toil would be
amply rewarded.

That night around the camp-fire all were very happy and very merry. The
elephant had been left where he lay, to be cut up on the morrow. Only
his trunk had been taken off--part of which was cooked for supper.

Although all the flesh of the elephant is eatable, the trunk is esteemed
one of the delicate bits. It tastes not unlike ox-tongue; and all of
them liked it exceedingly. To Swartboy, who had made many a meal upon
"de ole klow," it was a