ieved that, by taking it back to him, they would be
forgiven for their neglect.

In this, they were not mistaken. About the other animal--the young
giraffe that stood tied to a tree--Groot Willem neither asked nor
received any explanation. He held his tongue about that. He had been
over thirty hours without tasting food, and now without uttering another
word, he set to work upon a dinner that Swartboy had cooked for him,
and, after showing that his discomfiture had not robbed him of his
appetite, he stretched himself along the grass and fell into a sound
sleep.

The hunters had now but one more task to perform before taking the
direct route towards Graaf Reinet. They must make an effort to recover
the horses and cattle of which they had been despoiled. The sooner this
work should be commenced, the better the prospect of success; but Groot
Willem, on being awakened and consulted, declared that he would do
nothing but sleep for the next twelve hours; and, saying this, he once
more sank into a snoring slumber. As the others could take no important
step without him, they were compelled to leave the matter over, till
such time as the great hunter should awake, which was not before
breakfast-time of the following day.

CHAPTER FIFTY EIGHT.

THE LOST ARE FOUND.

After breakfast had been eaten, it was proposed to start off in search
of the stolen property; and Groot Willem, not without reluctance, was
prevailed upon to accompany the others. He was loath to part even for a
few hours from the captives he prized so highly. His wildest dreams had
been realised. Two young giraffes had been taken and were gradually
getting tamed. He could caress them. They could be conducted with but
little trouble to the colony of Graaf Reinet,--thence delivered to the
Dutch consul, and both money and fame would be the reward.

Since returning to the camp and seeing the second giraffe, his
companions had heard no more boasting about his own prowess, nor
reproaches for their negligence. But now came the question of the ivory
and other articles still lying in the camp. With such a large quantity
of valuable property to transport to the settlements, the pack-horses
and cattle were worth making an effort to recover; so, leaving Hans with
Swartboy and two of the Makololo to guard the camp, the others started
off with the intention to seek and, if possible, find them.

Believing that the tribe of Bechuanas that had taken them woul