ery from a swoon;
and then it was some time before my senses would act, and I could fully
grasp the situation and understand I must once more make that same
effort to rise.

I was thoroughly desperate now; and as soon as I fully grasped my
position I made another attempt, turning over from my back, where I lay
in agony upon my swollen hands and wrists, on to my face. It was
impossible to keep it back, and I uttered a low cry, which brought
Sandho trotting towards me from where he was making a hearty meal. Then
I lay quite still, with the deathly sickness passing off once more, my
heart beating heavily all the time and a feeling of thankfulness making
me glow; for there, as I lay face downwards, I knew that my helpless and
swollen arms and hands were lying on either side, perfectly numb, but
free. In that last heavy fall, in trying to reach the stone, the thong
must have snapped, the dew-soaked raw leather falling loose; and now I
had only to wait till the circulation and sense of feeling returned.

The pain I suffered was still bad enough, but it seemed to be softened
by the feeling of joy which pervaded me; and soon after, Sandho having
wandered off again to graze, I heard a sound which nerved me to renewed
efforts--the peculiar plashing made by a horse wading into a pebbly
stream. That was enough. A minute later I was struggling to reach the
stone I had fought to gain before; and by its help I got upon my feet,
when I saw Sandho some twenty yards away, standing in a depression by
the side of a perpendicular mass of rock, down whose side a spring of
water gushed and ran off below the rock, to sink out of sight some
distance off.

It was hard work, and the pain excessive; but I limped and shuffled
along till I was close to the stream, and then sank down again, to lie
and drink and drink again of the sweet, pure water, every mouthful
giving me renewed energy.

I must have fallen asleep after dragging myself from the pool--a
swoon-like sleep, from which I awoke in a confused, muddled state--only
gradually grasping my position and realising how long I must have been
insensible, for the kopje above me was glowing as if on fire, bathed in
the glory which suffused the west. My horse was lying down a dozen
yards away, with his head just raised; and in front, forming a charming
picture, was a little herd of about a dozen graceful antelopes, some
drinking, some standing in the water, and another upon the top of a low