Three days after the departure of the messengers, Macora's promise of
aid was again fulfilled by the arrival of thirty workmen. A site for
the hopo was chosen about half a mile from the forest edge, and the
construction of it was immediately commenced.
Anxious to learn the result of another attempt at capturing giraffes,
the hunters toiled early and late. Two of them were constantly handling
the axes, felling small trees, which the blacks transported to the place
where they were to be used, while the other two superintended the
setting of the sticks. The labour of constructing this trap was not so
great as the other, for a more convenient site had been chosen. The two
fences were to be placed a little beyond the sides of the mimosa grove,
which was not more than half a mile wide; nor was the pit made so large
as the first; and by toiling nearly all the time from sunrise to sunset,
the contrivance was got ready for use in seven days.
While the work was progressing, several giraffes had been seen in the
neighbourhood, and the hopes of the hunters were once more in the
ascendant. All were in high spirits with the prospect that, within two
or three days, they might be on their return to Graaf Reinet. To make
more sure of success they paid a visit to the second mimosa grove,
taking along with them a large party of the Makololo. Their object was
to drive the giraffes out of that tract of timber into the one where the
trap was being prepared for them. During their excursion no camelopards
were seen in this second grove; but this, in the opinion of the hunters,
was of little consequence. They would be discovered in the place where
they were wanted; and in this hope they hastened back to the hopo.
The same means for driving the giraffes into the trap were again
employed. A regular battue was established,--all hands taking share in
it. The Makololo, accompanied by their dogs, and making as much noise
as lay in their power, passed through the tract of timber, while Willem
and Hendrik rode along one side, and Hans and Arend on the other.
As the beaters drew near the end where the trap was established, Willem
began to have an apprehension that something was wrong. No herds of
large game were seen escaping from the cover. No sounds of crashing
sticks and breaking branches struck upon his ear. The forest seemed
deserted by all but the noisy Makololo, who were working their way
through its shady aisles. The termination of the battue was at length
reached. Within the pen were seen enclosed a few small antelopes of
common species, a pair of brindled gnus, and some wild hogs.
This was a bitter disappointment. The giraffes had got away, no one
knew how or where. They might return again; but no one could be certain
of this. Those amongst the Makololo who professed to be best acquainted
with their habit, expressed the belief that they had migrated to same
extensive forests far-away towards the south, and that no more
camelopards might be found in that neighbourhood for the six months to
follow. They (the Makololo) were anxious to return to their homes.
Perhaps this may have guided them in their opinion. They had huts to
build, and land to cultivate for their families, and had neglected these
duties in obedience to the command of their chief. The hunters could
not reasonably detain them longer, and, though with reluctance,
permitted them to take their departure.
Three days were passed in riding about the neighbourhood, and exploring
it within a circle of twenty miles. Several small groves of
_cameel-doorn_ were found, but no camelopards could be seen. They had
evidently forsaken that district or country, and might not return for
many weeks or months. The Makololo appeared to have spoken the truth.
"I don't say that we have been acting like fools," said Arend; "but I
will say that we deserve to be called nothing else, if we squander any
more time in search of what fate has decreed that we are not to obtain."
"Go on, Arend!" exclaimed Hendrik. "I could not talk more sensibly
myself."
"I have nothing more to say at present," said Arend, with a significant
shake of the head, as much as to say that the subject was too plain to
require discussion.
"What should we do, Hans?" asked Groot Willem.
"Start for home," was the ready answer. "I am now of Hendrik's
opinion," continued the botanist. "We should not expect to be
successful in every undertaking, and we have for some time been engaged
on one in which we seem destined to fail."
"Very well," said Groot Willem. "Let us first go back to the country of
Macora. It will be so far on our way to Graaf Reinet."
Seeing that Swartboy was anxious to give his opinion on this important
subject, Hendrik was kind enough to give him a chance by asking for it.
The Bushman possessed to an extraordinary degree the not unusual
accomplishment of saying a very little in a great many words.
Fortunately, for the gratification of his vanity, the hunters were at
supper, and had time to listen to his circumlocution.
The failure of the expedition so far was, in Swartboy's opinion, wholly
owing to Congo. He had known from the first that no success could
attend them while guided by a Kaffir, or any race of blacks whose
language a Kaffir could understand.
Swartboy further informed them that in his childhood he had daily seen
giraffes; and that if they were amongst his countrymen, the Bushmen,
who, in his opinion, were honest and intelligent compared with other
Africans, they would have no difficulty in procuring what they required.
This communication, to those who knew that the Bushmen were, perhaps,
the lowest specimens of humanity to be found in all Africa, only created
a smile on the faces of his listeners; but with this proof of his
eloquence Swartboy seemed quite satisfied.
On their arrival at Macora's new settlement, the chief expressed much
regret at the failure of their expedition, but could give Willem but
little or no hope that there was other chance of success, at least for
some time to come.
Camelopards, he said, often migrated from one district to another,
travelling for several days at a time, and often going thirty or forty
miles a day. A drove containing young ones, such as were required,
might not be seen in the neighbourhood for several weeks. He still
promised to render all the assistance himself and tribe were capable of
affording.
Willem might have remained to try another trap, but the voice of his
companions was in favour of at once setting out for Graaf Reinet. This
soon became too emphatic for him to resist, and the great hunter had to
yield. A sort of compromise was, however, agreed upon, which was that
they should go home, not on a direct course for Graaf Reinet, but
through the country of the Bechuanas,--crossing some districts inhabited
by the Bushmen. Thence they could turn eastward and homeward.
In this journey Willem promised to cause them no unnecessary delay; and
his companions agreed to do their best in aiding him to accomplish his
cherished purpose.
In Macora's tribe were four young men who had a strong desire to visit
the white settlements, and learn something more of the customs of a
civilised people than could be gathered from occasional hunters and
traders. These young men were furnished by their friends with an outfit
of oxen, and some merchandise in the shape of leopard skins,
ostrich-feathers, and ivory. They were instructed by Macora to render
all the assistance they could to his friend Willem and his young
associates.
On leaving, the hunters were escorted by the chief and other leading men
of the tribe for a distance of several miles. At parting with these,
our adventurers had every reason to know that they were taking leave of
true friends.
The chief and Sindo were nearly disconsolate at the separation,
especially from Groot Willem, to whom both declared that they owed their
lives. Each promised sometime to pay him a visit in his far-away home.
The hunters started forth on their journey under the firm impression
that amongst the Makololo were men possessing almost every noble
attribute of human nature.