its loud report, and the thief fell
forward on to the fire.

Van Ormon's brother, not heeding the fate of his companion, made some
show of resistance; but this was instantly ended by a blow from the butt
of Groot Willem's gun, which he now held clenched in his hand. The
third of the thieves did not stay for similar treatment, but bolted from
the camp at a pace that would have left most horses behind him.

The guns of all three were picked up, discharged, and then smashed
against a tree. The giraffes were untied and taken up to the place
where the horses had been left. After which, Willem and Hendrik mounted
into their saddles, and, leading the camelopards behind them, commenced
a backward march toward camp, where they had left their companions.

The fate of the two men left by the fire remained from that moment
unknown to our adventurers. Nor did they care to inquire about it.
Before leaving the spot, it was seen that neither of them had received a
mortal wound; and, as there was still one unharmed to take care of them,
in all probability they recovered. _That_, at least, was the hope and
belief of the hunters.

CHAPTER SEVENTY TWO.

ALL RIGHT ONCE MORE.

On finding himself tied to a tree, gagged, and abandoned Congo could see
but one chance of his being released from his confinement, and that was
by some beast of prey.

He was quite sure that those who had left him there would never return
to relieve him. His reflections were anything but pleasant. They bore
some resemblance to those of a sick man, who has been assured by his
physician that there is _No_ chance for him to recover.

The Kaffir was not one to give way to a cowardly fear of death, but
there was another thought in his mind almost as disagreeable, and that
was the chagrin he felt of not being able to see his beloved master
again, and make known his discovery of the giraffes.

He even thought, while waiting for his approaching fate, that, if by any
means he could let Groot Willem know where his property was concealed,
he could then die content.

An hour passed, and a heavy darkness gathered around him. It was the
shades of night. A few small animals of the antelope kind came trotting
up to the pool, and quenched their thirst.

They were followed by some jackals. Other visitors might soon be
expected,--visitors that might not depart without rudely releasing him
from his confinement.

Half an hour later, and his eyes, piercing thr