their way are apt
to do, to find themselves after many hours at the spot from which they
started. Every now and then I stood up in my stirrups, looking out
eagerly for the camp-fire. Not a glimmer of light could I see. Dangers
beset me also, I knew--old sand-wells and pitfalls might be in my path.
Lions also, attracted by the smell of the meat I carried, might follow
and seize me. I kept my rifle and hunting-knife ready for immediate
use, while I cast an anxious look round me, every moment trying to
pierce the gloom, lest some beast of prey might be stealthily
approaching. It was a trying time. It would have been worse had I been
suffering as before from thirst. At last I began to fear that I must
have passed the camp altogether. I determined to halt, and was looking
about for a bush or some rock or slight elevation under which I might
form my camp, when I found my horse's fore-feet sinking into the ground.
I had great difficulty in keeping my seat; but immediately rearing up,
he sprang forward. The effort was vain, however, for his feet alighted
only on treacherous ground, and down he sank into a large cavity. I
made an attempt to spring off his back, but the ground gave way, and I
found myself sinking down with him several feet below the surface. He
kicked and plunged, and very nearly struck me. I managed, however, once
more to get upon his back; and in a short time, finding that his efforts
to get out were hopeless, he remained quiet. I had fallen into one of
the holes I had dreaded. Even if I could get out myself, there was no
chance of extricating my horse, and I should have to find my way to the
camp on foot. The loss, too, of the horse would be a serious matter. I
was as likely also to be attacked by a lion or hyena as I should have
been on the level ground; for though the wild beast, if he got in, might
not be able to get out again, I should nevertheless become his prey.
The poor horse could with difficulty stand, and every now and then tried
to change his uncomfortable position. To relieve him, I got off and
stood as well as I was able, keeping my rifle ready for immediate use.

Time went slowly by. Though tired and even drowsy, I could not have
gone to sleep, even had I wished it, in my uncomfortable position. I
could see the stars overhead; but how deep down I was I could not well
judge. It was a depth, I feared, from which I should have great
difficulty, even in daylight, in scrambling out