d from pursuing them. There was an opportunity for
an exciting chase; and to remain inactive and see the giraffes disappear
over the plain, required a strong self-denying effort.

It was Groot Willem who held them in check.

"Did you not see that there were three young ones in the drove?" said
he. "Their home is very likely in this forest and we must not frighten
them away from it."

"They have already been hunted," answered Hendrik. "I am sure I saw an
arrow sticking in the side of one of them. Some black has amused
himself by torturing a creature he was unable to kill."

"It's a great pity they saw us at all," said Willem; "but they will
probably return to the shelter of the trees. We must make sure that
they have their haunt about here; and then we can send for some of
Macora's people, and let them build us another trap. That appears to be
the only way of catching them."

Another day passed, in which the hunters amused themselves in killing
reed bucks and other game in larger quantities than they required.
Nothing more of the giraffes was seen; and on the next day the party
started off on the spoor of the giraffes they had seen.

Another mimosa forest was discovered about fifteen miles farther to the
west; and on riding around it, they came upon a small lagoon. Its banks
were trampled with the hoof-marks of many giraffes, some of which were
very small. They had evidently been lately made, and by the same drove
they had seen three days before. From this it was evident that the
flock frequented both forests.

"We have seen quite enough for the present," said Willem. "Our next
plan is to send for Macora's promised assistance, and construct another
trap."

In this all the others agreed; and then arose the question. Where shall
the trap be built?

"We may as well have it at the other grove," said Hendrik, "for we can
easily drive them back to the place where they were first seen."

No strong reasons could be advanced against this suggestion, and it was
adopted.

Next morning two of the Makololo were despatched to Macora, for the
purpose of claiming his promised assistance; and all went back to the
forest first visited, and there encamped.

On the day the chief's workmen were expected to arrive, Hendrik and
Arend had ridden a few miles up the stream seeking for something to
destroy. Impelled by that incomprehensible desire for taking life so
natural to the hunter, they could not rest quietly at n