The Giraffe Hunters. Майн Рид

Чтение книги онлайн.

СКАЧАТЬ Forty Nine.

       Chapter Fifty.

       Chapter Fifty One.

       Chapter Fifty Two.

       Chapter Fifty Three.

       Chapter Fifty Four.

       Chapter Fifty Five.

       Chapter Fifty Six.

       Chapter Fifty Seven.

       Chapter Fifty Eight.

       Chapter Fifty Nine.

       Chapter Sixty.

       Chapter Sixty One.

       Chapter Sixty Two.

       Chapter Sixty Three.

       Chapter Sixty Four.

       Chapter Sixty Five.

       Chapter Sixty Six.

       Chapter Sixty Seven.

       Chapter Sixty Eight.

       Chapter Sixty Nine.

       Chapter Seventy.

       Chapter Seventy One.

       Chapter Seventy Two.

       Chapter Seventy Three.

Chapter Two.

       Table of Contents

      On the Limpopo.

      During the first night spent upon the Limpopo our adventurers had good reason for believing that they were in the neighbourhood of several kinds of game they were anxious to fall in with.

      Their repose was disturbed by a combination of sounds, in which they could distinguish the roar of the lion, the trumpet-like notes of the elephant, mingled with the voices of some creature they could not remember having previously heard.

      Several hours of that day had been passed in searching for a place to cross the river—one where the banks were low on each side, and the stream not too deep. This had not been found until the sun was low down upon the horizon.

      By the time they had got safely over, twilight was fast thickening into darkness, and all but Congo were unwilling to proceed farther that night. The Kaffir suggested that they should go at least half a mile up or down the river and Groot Willem seconded the proposal, although he had no other reason for doing so than a blind belief in the opinions of his attendant, whether they were based upon wisdom or instinct. In the end Congo’s suggestion had been adopted, and the sounds that disturbed the slumbers of the camp were heard at some distance, proceeding from the place where they had crossed the river.

      “Now, can you understand why Congo advised us to come here?” asked Groot Willem, as they listened to the hideous noises that were depriving them of sleep.

      “No,” was the reply of his companions.

      “Well, it was because the place where we crossed is the watering-place for all the animals in the neighbourhood.”

      “That is so, Baas Willem,” said Congo, confirming the statement of his master.

      “But we have not come a thousand miles for the sake of keeping out of the way of those animals, have we?” asked the hunter Hendrik.

      “No,” answered Willem, “we came here to seek them, not to have them seek us. Our horses want rest, whether we do or not.”

      Here ended further conversation for the night, for the hunters becoming accustomed to the chorus of the wild creatures, took no further notice of it, and one after another fell asleep.

      Morning dawned upon a scene of surpassing beauty. They were in a broad valley, covered with magnificent trees, among which were many gigantic baobabs (Adansonia digitata). Wild date-trees were growing in little clumps; while the floral carpet, spread in brilliant pattern over the valley, was observed by Hans with an air of peculiar satisfaction.

      He had reached a new field for the pursuit of his studies, and bright dreams were passing gently through his mind—dreams that anticipated new discoveries in the botanical world, which might make his name known among the savants of Europe.

      Before any of his companions were moving, Groot Willem, accompanied by Congo, stole forth to take a look at the surrounding country.

      They directed their course down the river. On reaching the place where they had crossed it, they chanced upon a tableau that even a hunter, who is supposed to take delight in the destruction of animals, could not look upon without unpleasant emotions.

      Within the space of a hundred yards were lying five dead antelopes, of a species Willem had never seen before. Feeding on the carcasses were several hyenas. On the approach of the hunters, they slowly moved away, each laughing like a madman who has just committed some horrible atrocity.

      By the “spoors” seen upon the river-banks, it was evident that both elephants and lions had visited the place during the night. While making these and other reconnoissances, Groot Willem was joined by Hans, who had СКАЧАТЬ