Kaffir were urging forward the spans in a direction the opposite to
that in which the Matabili's country lay. The two Hottentot drivers
were found dead, having been assagied by their enemies without mercy;
but few articles had been taken from the waggons, for the thieves did
not like to encumber themselves with much booty, as they hoped to escape
by speed before the hunters discovered their loss. The two parties of
Matabili had acted also in concert, one having been left to watch the
waggons and attack them as soon as the Dutchmen had started for their
morning's hunt, the remainder having been moved forward to surprise the
hunters when they were in the bush near the dead elephants. Both
attacks had been unsuccessful; and now the only danger that the hunters
feared was, that the Matabili, having been thus defeated, would return
in a day or two with a large force, and, knowing that waggons can move
but slowly, and rarely more than twenty-five miles a day, thus would
soon overtake them and probably be able to ensure their capture and to
revenge their late defeat. Before leaving the outspan, Hans wrote a few
words on a paper, which he inserted in a split stick, planting this
stick in the ground, so that it pointed at the sun. He rejoined his
companions, who had each dismounted, and was either leading his horse,
or allowing it to follow the waggons.

Hans had left a short account on the paper, of his proceedings, and had
pointed the stick at the sun, in order to let his companions know when
he had started, for they, he knew, would shortly return to the outspan,
and would then follow the spoor of the waggons; but seeing the bodies of
the Hottentots would be puzzled to account for every thing unless they
were informed by some means.

"It will be bad for us if the rivers are swollen," said Hans to Victor,
as the two followed the rear waggon; "a day's delay might cost us all
our property here."

"And our lives too," said Victor.

"Scarcely our lives," said Hans, "if we are watchful, our horses live,
and our ammunition lasts. We can fight these Matabili in any numbers as
long as they don't possess fire-arms; when the day comes that they use
guns and powder, it will be bad for us hunters, for then their numbers
will render them very dangerous."

"The English traders are supplying them as fast as they can with guns,"
rejoined Victor; "it is hard for us that they do so, for we or our
children may be shot by the guns thes