Four days after the unsuccessful attempt to capture the young giraffes
in the hopo, the spoor of others were found on the river-bank.
Another herd of camelopards had made a home in the forest of
_cameel-doorn_. Some of the herd were young. This was evident from the
spoor.
The hopes of Groot Willem, that he might succeed in accomplishing his
dearest wishes, were again high and strong; and his companions were no
less enthusiastic.
Another attempt to fulfil their mission might be successful.
If so, Hendrik and Arend within a few weeks would be in the society of
those of whom they were hourly thinking, and Hans would be making
preparations for the long-contemplated visit to Europe.
The chief Macora had not shown the least inclination to abandon them on
the failure of the first attempt. He had promised his assistance until
the object they desired should be obtained; and, although domestic and
political duties called him home, he stated his determination to stay
with them.
His promise had been given to Willem, and everything was to be
sacrificed before that could be broken.
For his devoted friendship the hunters were not ungrateful. They had
learnt by this that without his assistance they could do nothing.
On the evening before the day intended for the second trial of the hopo,
the giraffe hunters, in high spirits, were sharing with the chief their
last bottle of Schiedam, as a substantial tribute of respect to the man
who had made their wishes his own.
While indulging in pleasant anticipations of the morrow, their designs
were suddenly upset by a communication from Sindo.
He had but just returned from a journey to the north,--to the place
where he had found a home after being banished by Macora,--to the tribe
which owned for its chief him whose horses had been shot by our hunters.
Sindo's visit had been a stolen one, for the purpose of bringing away
his wife and children. In this he had been successful; but he had also
succeeded in bringing away something more,--information that the Zooloo
chief, that our young hunters had offended, was still thirsting for
revenge for his losses and disappointments.
He had seen Moselekatse, the tyrant-king of all that part of Africa, and
had informed him that the Makololo chief, Macora,--his old enemy,--had
returned to his former home, and had robbed a friend of the noble chief
Moselekatse of valuable property,--of horses, guns, and slaves.
A large force had immediately been sent to capture Macora and his
people, or chase them, as Sindo said, "out of the world."
The enemy might be expected in two or three hours!
Sindo's warning was not unheeded; and scouts were at once sent out to
watch for the approach of the enemy. A danger that Macora had already
apprehended was now threatening them.
Early next morning the scouts returned with the report that
Moselekatse's warriors were indeed coming. They had camped during the
night about five miles off, and might be upon them within an hour.
Hastily springing upon their horses, Arend and Hendrik galloped off in
the direction of the enemy, for the purpose of making a reconnaissance.
During their absence the others were packing up all their valuables, and
making preparation for either a fight or a flight.
The two cornets returned half an hour afterwards, bringing the report,
that about three hundred armed men were approaching.
"There is not the least doubt but that they mean war," said Hendrik.
"We rode up to within three hundred yards of them. Immediately on
seeing us they commenced yelling, and rushing about the plain; and, as
we turned to ride back, several spears were sent after us."
"Then the sooner we get away from here the better," suggested Hans.
"There are too many of them for us to hold our own with."
"Macora does not seem to think so," observed Groot Willem.
All turned to the chief, who, along with his men, was observed making
preparations for a pitched battle.
"Ask him, Congo," said Willem, "if he thinks we can drive the enemy
back."
The Kaffir made the inquiry, and was told, in reply, that Moselekatse's
men were never driven back except by superior numbers, and that they
certainly would not be defeated by a few.
"But what means that? Is he going to stay here for all of us to be
killed?"
To this question the chief answered that he and his men were going to
act according to the desire of his friend Willem.
"Then they shall be off as quick as possible," said Willem. "None of
them shall lose their lives on my account, if I can help it."
Not a moment was lost in getting away from the ground and so sudden was
the departure that the Makololo had to leave behind them the dried meat
they had taken so much trouble in curing.
The retreat was not commenced one moment too soon. As Groot Willem and
Hendrik remained a little behind the others, they beheld the enemy
approaching the spot that had been relinquished by the Makololo,
apparently eager for a conflict.
There was no longer a doubt of the real object of their visit. They had
come for the purpose of taking vengeance. Their cries and angry
gestures proclaimed it; and, without waiting to see or hear more, the
young hunters put spurs to their steeds and joined Macora in the
retreat.