n have made, at the
rate he was travelling when he left us. He should return soon now, or
never."

Another hour passed and still no signs of Hendrik.

"Remain you, Willem," proposed Arend, "and let me go alone."

"No," replied the great hunter; "we go together. I once thought that I
should never abandon my gun as long as I lived; but it must be. 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. The loud roar of an elephant
proclaiming the cause of his sudden departure.

"O heavens!" exclaimed Arend. "How much longer must we stay here?"

"Until to-morrow, I expect," answered Willem. "Congo cannot return to
the camp and be back before to-morrow."

"But do you think he will go off without trying to assist us?"

"Yes. What can he do alone? Nothing. He knows that, and has gone for
help. Of himself, he could not kill the elephant; and even if it was
not there, he could do nothing to get us off the rock."

"The distance to the bank must be about twenty yards. Of course there
is a way by which we may be got ashore; but it will require a rope. The
climbing plants would do, but Congo has not noticed them. I believe
that he understood at a glance the difficulties to be overcome, and has
gone to the camp for assistance."

"I hope so," replied Arend, "and, if such be the case, we need not fear
for ourselves. We have now only to endure the annoyance of waiting. My
only anxiety is for Hendrik."

Willem made no reply, but by his silence Arend could perceive that he
had but little hope of ever seeing Hendrik gain.

Slowly the sun went down and the night once more descended over the
rolling river. Their anxiety would not allow them to sleep, even had
they not been hindered by hunger. Of water they had a plentiful
supply,--too much of it,--although this was not obtained without some
difficulty, as they had to dip it up in one of their powder-flasks,
emptied for the purpose.

Another morning dawned, and the sun made his appearance,--again red and
fiery,--his beams becoming fiercer as he ascended the cloudless sky.

They had but a few hours more to wait until they might expect the