fter a few moments'
consideration I made up my mind what to do. At any moment the chase
might be at an end. Seven years on the veldt had taught me well the
risks of a horseman, and I knew only too well what would happen if
Sandho did not rise in time, or failed to clear some one of the
thousands of scattered rocks; or he might plunge his foot in a hole made
by some burrowing animal, and come down crippled for life, while I was
flung over his head. Yes, the chase might come to an end at any moment,
and all hope of reaching Echo Nek be gone; so, drawing a deep breath, I
steadied myself. Then I strained forward as far as I could reach, and
spoke to Sandho, who uttered a whinnying snort and began to check
himself. As soon as he had eased down into a canter I brought my left
leg to bear upon him, and an agonising pain shot up to my hip, turning
me so faint that for a minute I was giddy and nearly lost my seat; but
my pressure upon his flank had caused him to amble on at right angles to
our former course. As my head grew clearer I brought him down to a
walk, and directly after stopped him short. I saw his ears twitching,
and his head turned in the direction from whence came the heavy beat of
hoofs. This sound came closer and closer, and then swept past, as I sat
with beating heart, mental distress being added to my bodily pain, for
at any moment I knew Sandho might utter a neighing challenge to the
passing horses; but he was silent, and they passed at a swinging gallop,
the sound soon growing fainter. I was beginning to breathe more freely
when my agony was renewed; for the beating of hoofs was resumed, and I
could tell that the little troop of Boers was divided into two, and the
risk had again to be encountered.

I dared not whisper to Sandho for fear he should answer me in his own
way and reach round his soft, velvety muzzle to touch my expected hand,
now so painfully held back. These seemed the worst, the most agonising,
moments of my flight; and I felt sick with pain, too. If the horse
whinnied, all my desperate struggle would have been in vain; and I was
ready in my anguish to ask whether it was worth while to go on with the
desperate attempt.

All this time the horsemen came nearer and nearer. In my agitation it
seemed they were not following the departing hoof-sounds in a direct
line, but riding in a curve which would bring them right over the spot
where we stood.

How long the moments are in such an eme