Letsitela.
From the spot where these rivers emerge on the flats to the crown of
the plateau is ten miles at the shortest. I had a start of an hour or
so, but before dawn I had to traverse thirty miles of unknown and
difficult country. Behind me would follow the best trackers in Africa,
who knew every foot of the wilderness. It was a wild hazard, but it was
my only hope. At this time I was feeling pretty courageous. For one
thing I had Henriques' pistol close to my leg, and for another I still
thrilled with the satisfaction of having smitten his face.

I took the rubies, and stowed them below my shirt and next my skin. I
remember taking stock of my equipment and laughing at the humour of it.
One of the heels was almost twisted off my boots, and my shirt and
breeches were old at the best and ragged from hard usage. The whole
outfit would have been dear at five shillings, or seven-and-six with
the belt thrown in. Then there was the Portugoose's pistol, costing,
say, a guinea; and last, the Prester's collar, worth several millions.

What was more important than my clothing was my bodily strength. I was
still very sore from the bonds and the jog of that accursed horse, but
exercise was rapidly suppling my joints. About five hours ago I had
eaten a filling, though not very sustaining, meal, and I thought I
could go on very well till morning. But I was still badly in arrears
with my sleep, and there was no chance of my snatching a minute till I
was over the Berg. It was going to be a race against time, and I swore
that I would drive my body to the last ounce of strength.

Moonrise was still an hour or two away, and the sky was bright with
myriad stars. I knew now what starlight meant, for there was ample
light to pick my way by. I steered by the Southern Cross, for I was
aware that the Berg ran north and south, and with that constellation on
my left hand I was bound to reach it sooner or later. The bush closed
around me with its mysterious dull green shades, and trees, which in
the daytime were thin scrub, now loomed like tall timber. It was very
eerie moving, a tiny fragment of mortality, in that great wide silent
wilderness, with the starry vault, like an impassive celestial
audience, watching with many eyes. They cheered me, those stars. In
my hurry and fear and passion they spoke of the old calm dignities of
man. I felt less alone when I turned my face to the lights which were
slanting alike on this unc