FOR A SIEGE--THE ROCK AND CAVES--WILD BEES AND ROCK
RABBITS--THE BABOONS--THE NIGHT WATCH.

When Bernhard's course had been watched for some time, Hans decided at
once to make his preparations for a week's residence in the wilderness.
He called Victor to his side, and explained to him the advantage of
selecting the range of hills which were distant about two miles. These
hills were rocky and steep, and thus an enemy could approach only from
one side. There was much underwood, and thus there seemed every
probability of a secure retreat being found. The difficulty, however,
seemed to be how to reach these hills without leaving a visible trail.
These advantages and drawbacks having been discussed between the two
hunters, it was decided to run the risk of leaving a trail rather than
wait where they then were; but scarcely had Hans come to this conclusion
than, upon looking westwards, from which direction the wind was blowing,
he eagerly exclaimed--

"God is good, and favours us. Look, Victor, a storm is coming."

"And what of that, Hans?" exclaimed Victor.

"Our spoor will be washed out, Victor: make haste, let us move on
rapidly and gain those hills, and if we do so before the rain, the
keenest-eyed Matabili will not be able to trace us; so come along. If
no eyes are now on us, we may live here for a week without being
discovered. Keep close together, Katie, and by my side, take advantage
of every bush or slope of ground, and we will yet live to join our
people again."

The two hunters and their charges walked rapidly towards the hills which
had been referred to, and entering on an old water-course, worked their
way up towards the summit of the kloof. Large blocks of rocks were
lying about in all directions, and the water during heavy rains had
worked its way among these, so that several hollows were scooped out so
as to form caves large enough to hold one or two human beings; these,
however, were not places which an experienced man like Hans would select
for a resting-place, for he knew that the same cause which had produced
these holes would render them unsuitable for habitations. He advanced,
therefore, until he found some overhanging rocks which offered an ample
protection against any rains which might fall, or winds that might blow,
and here putting down the saddles and other articles that he had carried
from the last outspan, he requested Victor to remain with Katrine and
her sister until he had examined