ng this: the distance between me
and the horsemen was great; and I felt certain that, if it were a
portion of the captain's troop, they had no glass of any kind. If they
caught sight of me in making my retreat, they would only fancy they saw
the figure of some peculiar, humpbacked-looking animal; and on making
for the mountains my position upon Sandho's back would never lead them
to suppose it was a horse bearing a rider. This supposition, too, would
be helped by the fact that there were still little herds and single
wanderers, the relics of the vast hosts of antelopes of various species,
from the tiny gazelle-like animals up through the clumsy hartebeeste and
wildebeeste to the huge eland; and at a distance I felt it possible that
myself and steed might be taken for one of these.

While thinking thus, and going through a painful struggle to get upon my
horse properly, it seemed to me that the party were visibly coming
nearer; but, hidden as we were by the bushes, I could see, from where I
lay on my horse's back, as I turned my eyes in their direction, that so
far I was not discovered. The crucial test, however, was yet to come;
for, though I could keep Sandho out of sight for half a mile possibly,
the land was gradually rising, and in that distance or less, I knew, we
should stand out plainly in the clear air. Then, if seen, suffer what I
might, I was determined to urge my horse on to his greatest speed,
leaving the rest to fate.

I had no trouble with my well-trained steed, which obeyed every word or
pressure; and with eyes so turned that I could keep the bush between us,
I guided Sandho on till, as I had anticipated, the party of mounted men
came gradually into view--first only the men, but soon after their
horses. So far, they were going only at a walk, to pass the track
diagonally to my course and some distance away.

As they were so visible, I felt they must soon see me, and tried hard to
efface myself as much as possible, knowing that my dusky-brownish,
homespun breeches, flannel shirt, and tanned high boots must assimilate
well with the coat of my chestnut horse, and this cheered me a little.

Then, suddenly, I knew I was seen, for one of the men drew rein, letting
the others go on a few horse-lengths before; and, as if in answer to a
summons from the man behind, the rest of the party halted and sat gazing
in my direction.

The next minute the man who had halted by himself now dismounted, and I
saw a g