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What had become of Oom Jan Willem and the baby? I wandered out into the yard, sick with the sight I had already seen. There Oom Jan Willem himself lay stretched at full length; a bullet had pierced his left temple; his body was also riddled through with assegai thrusts. I saw at once what this meant. A rising of the Matabele!
They had obtained all they required; and even Groot Willem, before so enthusiastically fond of hunting, would not have turned aside to kill the finest koodoo that ever trod the plains of Africa, unless its flesh had been absolutely wanted for food. After a journey of two more weeks, Swartboy found himself in a land inhabited by many of his countrymen, the Bushmen.
They were met by a severe fire from the fort, but when they got to close quarters up went the white flag, and the English shouted "We surrender!" Thus Willem Pretorius and four burghers captured twenty prisoners and a like number of horses, saddles, bridles, rifles and bandoliers, not to mention some three thousand cartridges.
Fortune is fickle; and my chief desire now is that we may reach home in safety." "I am not prepared to go home yet," rejoined Willem, in a way that told his companions he was in earnest. "We have only been in the neighbourhood of the Limpopo for a few short weeks; and we have been successful in getting a good many hippopotamus teeth.
Groot Willem, Hendrik, and Hans should have returned by that time; and the four should have made an effectual search for their missing servants. He had remained silent for a long time, under very peculiar circumstances.
"Don't know, Baas Willem," answered Congo. "I been long time here." "But when did you see him last?" inquired Hendrik. Congo was unable to tell, for he seemed under the impression that he had been several days in the bosom of the earth. From Swartboy they learnt that soon after their own departure Arend had started in pursuit of one of the horses seen straying over the plain.
Willem was a little woeful about the loss of his riding-horse, and also on learning of the robbery of the cattle; but these misfortunes could not entirely counteract the joy he felt at having taken the young giraffe. "This creature is quite tame now," said he; "and if I cannot find my horse again, I shall ride it to Graaf Reinet. Before I do that, however, I shall use it in catching another.
It was just such a night as lions select for going in search of prey, so dark that the king of beasts can move about unseen, and, while thus protected by invisibility, will pounce upon a man with as much confidence as he will upon a springbok. As Willem was trying to while away the time by hopeful thoughts, the air was shaken around him, by a voice which he knew to be the roar of the lion.
We must not stay here any longer. I grow weaker every hour." The two were taking off their boots and preparing to enter the water, when their ears were saluted by the sound of a familiar voice. Congo was seen upon horseback on the bank of the river, just opposite the rock. "Nebber fear, baas Willem," shouted he. "I come back by-'m-by." As he said this, he galloped away.
Two large animals appeared through the darkness, evidently approaching the vley. "Quaggas!" whispered Willem, as he strained his eyes to assure himself of their species. "Yes," answered Hendrik. "Let us knock them over. They're not much good, but it will serve to wake us up."
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