e--or not at all. He might kill one or more of his
assailants. He might even thus ensure his own escape; but in that case
would he not be dooming to death his comrade? Would not the latter be
inevitably sacrificed? Would not the revengeful and exasperated
barbarians demand life for life, blood for blood? Seldom, we trow, has
one so young in years been called upon to face so difficult and delicate
a dilemma, seldom has he disposed of it so resolutely, so judiciously.

He heard the swarming rush of his pursuers as they charged down the hill
on either side of him. His pulses bounded, and his steed, maddened with
excitement and terror, snorted and tugged at the reins as the terrible
slogan rang forth from those fierce throats, expressing in curdling
meaning their veritable thirst for blood--

"_Igazi--pu--za_!"

And now with a thrill of unspeakable exaltation, he realised that he was
going _downhill_, that he was actually outside that hated and ill-omened
hollow which had been their drear prison-house all these weary weeks.
Every drop of blood in his veins tingled; every nerve thrilled. But the
pursuers kept up their pace horribly, and the way was rough, fearfully
rough. Even the sure-footed Basuto pony stumbled and floundered in the
darkness; once or twice came down nearly on his knees.

"_Igazi--pu--za_!"

The frightful shout thundered still in his wake, still as close as
before. In the darkness, on the steep and ragged descent the
fleet-footed savages could almost keep pace with the horse. With the
very brief start he had been able to obtain, they would surely run him
down sooner or later. His steed could not keep on at that pace for
ever. Besides, a hole, an excrescence in the ground, a false step,
anything, and he would be at their mercy.

On he kept. The air seemed to tear past his ears as he sped. The stars
overhead were as a whirling wheel of fire-works. Would not Nature even
come to his aid, afford him a hiding-place, a refuge? The rugged
mountains loomed black to the sky in all their savage wildness. Oh for
a few miles of level stretch to yield him the precious start which
should be the saving of him, the saving of them both! And then it
seemed that his despairing wish was answered. A black line rose right
across his way. It was a wide belt of forest land. Here at any rate he
might find hiding--shelter--some means of baffling the pursuers.

For although the fierce shouts of the latter h