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Updated: May 1, 2025
This he was willing to do, out of gratitude to one whom fate had brought to his assistance through the merest accident. Macora's offer was not rejected; and preparations for the journey were immediately commenced. The ivory obtained from the hippopotami was stored away for safe keeping until their return.
The pack-horses and all other property were taken along, as they did not intend to return to the kraal, although the chief earnestly requested them to remain and make his village their home so long as they remained in the neighbourhood. For more than a mile their way led through small plantations of maize, owned by Macora's subjects, and cultivated by the women and younger people of the tribe.
On granting this pardon, the chief wished all distinctly to understand that it was done out of gratitude to his friend, the big white hunter. He did not wish it to be supposed that the prisoner's life had been purchased with a gun. All Macora's subjects, including the condemned man himself, appeared greatly astonished at the decision, so contrary to all precedent among his fellow-countrymen.
But they had too much honour to think of deserting the brave Makololo, whom they themselves had been instrumental in bringing into trouble. They all looked to Groot Willem, who would not abandon the brave chief, to whom they were so much indebted, not even to save his own life. They faltered no longer. Macora's fate should be theirs.
It had long been down; and was quite dead and dry. After making the lines fast to one end of it, it was pushed into the stream and directed in such a manner as to drift down to the rock on which the two youths were standing. The other end of the rope was firmly grasped by several of Macora's men.
The chief would not allow his guests to take any part in the toil, and unwilling to be idle, Groot Willem, Hendrik, and Arend determined on making an excursion down the river. Hans remained behind, content in the pursuit of his botanical studies, joined to the amusement of killing antelopes, and other game for the use of Macora's workmen. Swartboy remained with him.
He was just in time to ascend among the branches as the cow came up. The calf, with much difficulty, succeeded in reaching the tree. Once there, it could not move away, and the mother would not leave it. This accounted for Macora's having been found among the branches of the pandanus.
Death had saved it from the surprise of discovering that, in the practice of its ferocious fury, it had been carried far away from the young it was making such efforts to defend. Three days after the departure of the messengers, Macora's promise of aid was again fulfilled by the arrival of thirty workmen.
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