Vietnam or Thailand ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Updated: June 25, 2025
"Do you remember the night you were under the baobab-tree, dodging the borele?" asked Hendrik. "Say no more," answered Arend. "If you wish it I am willing to go on." Swartboy was sent back to the camp to join Hans, while the Kaffir and Spoor'em led the way. Under the direction of Hendrik they soon came to the place where Willem had been last seen. There were no signs of him anywhere.
Swartboy and the Makololo were directed to drive in the cattle, and all commenced making preparations for a departure. "We shall miss Congo and Spoor'em," said Willem, while the cattle were being loaded. "We shall want them badly now." "Ah!" exclaimed Hans, "I had nearly forgotten to tell you that Congo was here this morning, and wished me to say you were to wait until he came to you.
Willem compelled Congo, who had now been thirty-six hours without food, to mount upon his own horse; but this the Kaffir would consent to do only on the condition that he would be allowed to take Spoor'em up along with him. They at once started away from the spot, and by an early hour of the following morning reached the camp, where Hans, Arend, and the others had remained.
Congo did not wish even a brute to think him ungrateful, and yet there was no way by which he could let Spoor'em know that such was the case. Not long after the arrival of the dog, Congo heard the report of a gun. To the sharp ears of the Kaffir it seemed to have a familiar sound. It was very loud, and like the report of a roer.
A journey of ten miles brought him amongst some ranges of steep hills, separated from each other by deep, narrow gorges. On ascending to the top of one of these, he perceived a small column of smoke rising from a ravine below. Throwing his hat upon the ground, and commanding the dog Spoor'em to keep a watch upon it, he stalked forward and soon obtained a view of what was causing the smoke.
When released from the tree, and the gag taken from his mouth, the first words he uttered were those of apology to Spoor'em, for the kicks he had just administered! From the demonstrations made by the dumb creature, there was every reason to believe that he accepted the apology in the spirit in which it was given!
It had shown a strong disinclination to endure hunger, thirst, or the fatigues of the journey; and had often exhibited a desire to leave its new masters. Spoor'em was now led out, in hopes that he would do some service to compensate for the trouble he had caused.
It tasted like water itself, that is, it had no taste at all. Assegais and knives were now called into active play; and so abundant was the plant growing near, that in a short time every man, horse, and ox had been refreshed with a bulb. The first root obtained by Congo was shared with Spoor'em, the hound, which, with his tongue far-extended, had been crawling along with much difficulty.
It had probably lost its rider beyond, and was on its return to the camp when killed by the lion. Once more Spoor'em started along the track, Congo keeping close to his tail, the two horsemen riding anxiously after. But we must return to the camp, and follow the trail of the lost hunter by a means more sure than even the keen scent of Spoor'em.
Most of the time it was out of sight, hidden by the darkness, but every now and then it would flit like a shadow across their track, and they could hear an occasional sniff as it lifted the scent from the ground. They had not proceeded more than half a mile in this manner when Spoor'em expressed a more decided opinion of something that interested him, by giving utterance to a short, sharp bark.
Word Of The Day
Others Looking