shoot as many as they
pleased, but this would have been but poor sport; and even Groot Willem
would, in due time, have got tired of it. It was not for this they had
come so far.

Next morning, the work of making the hopo was commenced; and to inspire
the young hunters with the hope that the labour would not be in vain,
Macora showed them the spoor of a drove of giraffes that had visited the
river during the night.

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.

Wishing to be as little encumbered as possible on an excursion, intended
to last only for a couple of days, Willem and his companions took with
them but one horse, besides those for the saddle. This was in the care
of Congo, who, of course, followed his master, "Baas Willem."

Nothing could be more beautiful than the scenes passed through on the
first day of their hunt. Groves of palms, and other trees, standing
over flower-clad plains on which gnoos, hartebeests, and other antelopes
were browsing in peace. A flock of gayly-plumaged birds seemed at home
in every tree; and everything presented to their view was such as fancy
might paint for a hunter's paradise. On that day, our adventurers had
their first view of the lordly giraffe. Seven of those majestic
creatures were seen coming from some hill that stretched across the
plain.

"Don't move," exclaimed Hendrik, "and perhaps they will stray near
enough for us to get a shot before we are discovered."

On came the graceful animals across the sunlit plain, like living towers
throwing long shadows before them. The trees in perspective seemed
lower than their crested heads. When within about two hundred yards of
the hunters, the latter were discovered by them. Turning suddenly in
their tracks, the giraffes commenced a rapid retreat.

"Our horses are fresh. Let us run them down," exclaimed Willem. "In
spite of what Macora has said, I must kill a giraffe!"

The three leaped into the saddles, and started in pursuit of the flying
drove, leaving Congo in charge of the pack-horse.

For some time, the horsemen could not perceive that they were gaining on
the camelopards trotting be