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The Kaffir uttered these words with a resigned expression of countenance, that proclaimed him inspired by a firm conviction of their truth. "Must this be, Hendrik?" said Willem, turning to his companion. "It hardly seems possible. Tell me, am I dreaming?" "I can answer for myself," replied Hendrik, "for I was never more awake. The rheims around my wrists are nearly cutting off my hands.
As Groot Willem and Hendrik remained a little behind the others, they beheld the enemy approaching the spot that had been relinquished by the Makololo, apparently eager for a conflict. There was no longer a doubt of the real object of their visit. They had come for the purpose of taking vengeance.
The camelopards followed by Hans, Hendrik, and Arend had continued up the bank of the stream; and, being the main body of the herd, were pursued without the hunters having noticed the defection of Willem. With such noble game in view, and in hot pursuit of it, these three youths were as much excited as Groot Willem himself. Full of ardour they pressed on.
Some of the tracks were of small dimensions, evidently the hoof-marks of young calves. Groot Willem was in high spirits. There was once more a prospect of satisfying his hunter ambition. His companions, though not so confident of success, were equally as anxious to obtain it.
They must make an effort to recover the horses and cattle of which they had been despoiled. The sooner this work should be commenced, the better the prospect of success; but Groot Willem, on being awakened and consulted, declared that he would do nothing but sleep for the next twelve hours; and, saying this, he once more sank into a snoring slumber.
"Ever since noon," was Willem's reply. "And how much longer would you have stayed, had we not found you?" "Until either this giraffe or I should have died," answered Willem. "I should not have abandoned it before." "But supposing you had died first, how would it have been then?" asked Arend. "No doubt," replied Willem, "something would very soon have taken me away.
Believing that there was a possibility of the chief being in the right, Groot Willem and his companions of course consented to remain; not, however, without stipulations. If within thirty-six hours there was no appearance of either friends or enemies, Macora promised that he would continue the march towards his country.
Every day something turned up to confirm his suspicions. He had seen the Hottentot sent off, while Willem, Arend, and Hendrik were eating their breakfast inside; and, soon after their departure, he had witnessed the arrival of two white men, who appeared to consider the place their home.
Nothing could be seen of either. He might have reflected that there was some risk of losing himself; but he did not. All his thoughts were given to the capture of the young giraffe. Slower and more slow became the pace both of pursuer and pursued, the horse streaming with sweat, and nearly ready to drop in his tracks. "Why should I follow them farther?" thought Willem.
Another hour passed without their seeing any game worthy of their attention, when Willem, too, became weary of inaction. They were thinking of vacating the pits and joining Congo by the camp-fire, when something heavier than hyenas was heard approaching the spot. With only their eyes above the surface of the ground, they gazed eagerly in the direction from which proceeded the sound.
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