my
own position to pay much heed to the two young Boers; for when we were
once more on our route for our next stopping-place, where we were to
halt for the night, I felt that the time was rapidly approaching when I
must make my escape. I did not say to myself _try_ to make my escape,
but to make it; for I had no fear of being unsuccessful. The night was
coming on fast, and I knew that there was no moon, which was all in my
favour; and, once free, all I had to do was to make straight for home--a
ride of perhaps thirty miles through the wild country, keeping away from
the track, and with nothing to fear. Yes, there wore the lions,
plentiful enough in the wilder parts; but the thought of them did not
damp me, for Sandho would soon give me warning if any were near, and
carry me well out of danger.

Then there was the next day. I was to make for Echo Nek, and there,
meet Joeboy, who would bear my father's instructions; but would Joeboy
be there? My heart sank a little at the thought of how doubtful this
was; but I soon cheered up again. At the worst it meant waiting a day
or two, for I should not venture, home. The Boers would ride back--of
that I felt sure; then, thinking I should certainly seek for refuge with
my people, they would scour the country in search of me, and they might
search Echo Nek, though it was ten miles away.

"Never mind," I said to myself cheerily enough; "that all belongs to
what _may be_: let's think only of _will be_;" and I rode on, scanning
the track and keeping a good lookout from side to side for the likeliest
spot for my attempt. I was still keenly watching when the shades of
evening darkened into night, and the right place had not yet come; there
were even moments when doubts began to creep in, for my arms grew
acutely painful, and this thought worried me terribly: "Helpless as I am
now, and growing weary, shall I have the strength to carry out my plan?"
I still had strength enough to drive out the doubting thought, and
forced myself into watching eagerly for my chance, having pretty well
determined what I would do first, trusting to the sudden surprise to
give me a few moments' start.

In vain I looked for such a sanctuary as a rocky pile of scattered
granite would afford, for it had at last grown dark--a clear,
semi-transparent darkness, through which I could see twenty or thirty
yards in any direction; beyond that distance everything rapidly grew
black. If I could at once get fi