fairly
correct course across a veldt--a fact that rendered them independent of
the waggon tracks. On the roads they were exposed to the risk, if not
the certainty, of detection. But on the wide veldt the chances were
they would meet no living creature except the wild game. Should they see
houses they could avoid them, and probably their male inhabitants would
be far away from home on business connected with the war.

Accordingly they rode ten miles or more along the bank without seeing a
soul, till they reached a space of bubbling, shallow water that looked
fordable. Indeed, an investigation of the banks revealed the fact that a
loaded waggon had passed the river here and at no distant date, perhaps
a week before.

"This is good enough," said John; "we will try it." And without further
ado they plunged into the rapid.

In the centre of the stream the water was strong and deep, and for a few
yards swept the horses off their legs, but they struck out boldly
till they found their footing again; and after that there was no more
trouble. On the farther side of the river John took counsel with his
compass, and they steered a course straight for Mooifontein. At midday
they off-saddled the horses for an hour by some water, and ate a small
portion of their remaining food. Then they up-saddled and went on across
the lonely, desolate veldt. No human being did they see all that long
day. The wide country was tenanted only by great herds of game that went
thundering past like squadrons of cavalry, or here and there by coteries
of vultures, hissing and fighting furiously over some dead buck. And so
at last the twilight gathered and found them alone in the wilderness.

"Well, what is to be done now?" said John, pulling up his tired horse.
"It will be dark in half an hour."

Jess slid from her saddle as she answered, "Get off and go to sleep, I
suppose."

She was quite right; there was absolutely nothing else that they could
do; so John set to work and hobbled the horses, tying them together
for further security, for it would be a dreadful thing if they were to
stray. By the time that this was done the twilight was deepening into
night, and the two sat down to contemplate their surroundings with
feelings akin to despair. So far as the eye could reach there was
nothing to be seen but a vast stretch of lonely plain, across which the
night wind blew in dreary gusts, causing the green grass to ripple like
the sea. There was absolut