ervant, Gozo, who, though not equal to Umgolo, was considered an
experienced hunter. Hendricks did not object to the boys accompanying
him, though he gave him strict charge to keep them out of harm's way.
They turned in early, that they might be off at daybreak, as Hendricks
wisely insisted that they should return before nightfall.

CHAPTER SIX.

A HUNTING EXPEDITION.

The three lads, accompanied by old Gozo the Kaffir, set off in high
spirits at daylight, expecting to have a magnificent day's hunting.
Denis, from having more experience than his companions, took the lead.
Lionel, who, though much younger, had spirits enough to carry him
through anything, kept up with him; but Percy, although he did his best,
being less inured to the heat of the climate, soon began to feel
fatigue, and expressed his fears that he should have to turn back.

"Don't say that; come along, come along," cried Denis. "You won't mind
the heat or feel tired, directly we get sight of the game. Gozo says
that about five miles farther on there's a broad stream, running through
a wide valley or rather a plain, and that at the ford to which he will
conduct us we shall be certain to meet with large animals, elephant and
rhinoceroses, quaggas and pallahs, and other deer."

Percy, thus encouraged, pulled himself together, and tried to forget the
heat. They rode on, however, for several miles, without meeting with a
living creature. Nothing was to be seen on either hand but wild
mountain-sides and arid plains dotted here and there with gigantic
ant-hills and occasional groves of tall trees.

At length, having surmounted a low ridge, they came suddenly in sight of
a herd of wildebeests or gnus, grazing quietly about a mile from them.
Denis was about to dash forward, when Gozo called to him and advised him
to make a circuit so as to come upon the herd on the lee side. Turning
their horses' heads, therefore, they descended the hill they had just
mounted, and keeping under its shelter, made their way northward. They
were thus able to get round until they found themselves within a few
hundred yards of the herd, in which there could not have been less than
sixty or eighty animals. Suddenly, however, the leader of the herd, a
fine old fellow with a flowing mane, and a beard descending down his
breast, perceived them, and off they dashed at a slashing pace, a cloud
of dust marking their course, while the young hunters pursued. Denis
led the way