"How shall we do it, Poeskop?" said Guy. "Go after them now, and try to shoot the old men baboons?"
"No, Baas Guy," said the Bushman, "that would be no good. We should never catch them up these hills, and we might shoot the wrong baboon and kill the boy. Leave it to me. I will hide up here among the rocks, and follow up the troop. They will go to rest at sundown in some cave; and if I can mark the place, we can go for them at night, and perhaps take the boy."
So Poeskop was left among the wild hills, while Mr. Blakeney and the boys strolled quietly back to the wagon--which was now outspanned at the entrance to the kopjes--and made ready for the evening. They had supper, and presently, a little before eight o'clock, Poeskop walked quietly into the camp.
"Well, Poeskop," chorused the two boys, "what's the news? Have you marked them down?"
"Ja, baas," said the Bushman, a pleased smile playing on his features, "I have marked them down."
"Baboon boy and all?"
"Ja, baboon boy and all. They are gone to sleep in a big cave, not far from where we saw them, and we shall find them presently."
"That's excellent," said Mr. Blakeney. "Now, Poeskop, get your supper and have a pipe. When shall we start?"
"Not till the moon gets up a bit, baas," answered the Bushman. "We can then find our way better, and the baviaans will all be fast asleep."
They waited a couple of hours, till ten o'clock. The moon rose slowly behind the hills and shed a glorious light, tipping the wild kopjes with pale silver, and casting blue-black shadows from bush and tree and ant-hill. Mr. Blakeney had delved among the wagon stores and brought out some blue lights, with which, as well as with a couple of lanterns, they were provided for the assault. Three-quarters of an hour's walk brought them near to the scene of operations. Sheltering behind some bush, they now lit the two lanterns, and moved forward for the final act. It was a stirring moment. Not a sound was heard through the vast solitude of these lonely hills, save for the ceaseless droning of a cicada in a bush hard by. The very night birds were asleep or absent. The clear moon gazed down upon the little group of serious men with placid serenity. Very silently they moved forward, Poeskop and Mr. Blakeney leading. Turning an angle of bush, Poeskop nudged his master. Mr. Blakeney swiftly lighted a blue light at his open lantern, and the pair dashed forward. They stooped and entered a dark cavern, the boys close at their heels, and then a weird scene, indeed, met their gaze.