Willem never was without the means of lighting a fire,—he was too fond of a pipe for that,—and near a large blazing heap of wood they remained until the first appearance of day.
The journey back to the camp was a tedious one, but was made with much less heaviness of spirit than they had suffered when leaving it to go in search of the lost giraffe, which fortune had so favoured them in finding.
Chapter Sixty Two.
With the Hottentots.
On reaching the camp, Willem and Hendrik found their companions anxiously awaiting their return.
The horses and cattle had all been recovered, and the borelé that had caused their dispersion had been shot by Hans and Arend.
Its attack had caused a delay of two days, and the loss of an ox.
Again the journey towards Graaf Reinet was resumed, and day by day was prosecuted with all the speed that could be made in safety to their animals.