CHAPTER THIRTY.
THE MISSING HUNTER, AND THE WILDEBEESTS.
A well-known proverb says that "misfortunes seldom come single." On nearing the camp, the hunters could perceive that all was not right there.

They saw Totty with Truey and Jan standing by the head of the ladder; but there was something in their manner that told that all was not right.

Where was Hans?
As soon as the hunters came in sight, Jan and Truey ran down the rounds, and out to meet them.

There was that in their glances that bespoke ill tidings, and their words soon confirmed this conjecture.
Hans was not there--he had gone away hours ago--they knew not where, they feared something had happened to him,--they feared he was lost! "But what took him away from the camp ?" asked Von Bloom, surprised and troubled at the news.
That, and only that, could they answer.

A number of odd-looking animals--very odd-looking, the children said,--had come to the vley to drink.