been hidden from them before by the lie of the ground, and a groan of
despair broke from their lips, for it was in flood. Yes, the storms in
the mountains had swollen it, and it rolled towards the sea a red flood
of foam-flecked water, well-nigh two hundred yards from bank to bank.
Still they rode on, for they dared not stop, and presently behind them
they heard a shout of triumph, and knew that their pursuers had also
seen the Red Water, and rejoiced because now they had them in a trap.

Within ten yards of the lip of the river, the grey mare stopped
suddenly, shivered like a leaf in the wind and sank to the ground.

"Now, Swallow," said Sihamba as she slipped from the saddle, "you must
choose between that raging torrent and Swart Piet. If you choose the
torrent the great horse is still strong and he may swim through; I can
say no more."

"And you?" asked Suzanne.

"I? I bide here, and oh! I would that Zinti had left the gun with me."

"Never," cried Suzanne. "Together we will live or die. Mount, I
say--mount. Nay, if you refuse I will throw myself into the water before
your eyes."

Then seeing that she would indeed do no less, Sihamba took her
outstretched hand, and placing her foot upon the foot of Suzanne,
scrambled up upon the pad in front of her, whereat the pursuers, who
now were little over two hundred yards away, laughed out loud, and
Swart Piet shouted to Suzanne to yield. But they did not laugh long,
for Sihamba, having first bent her head and kissed Suzanne on the hand,
leaned forward and began to stroke the _schimmel's_ neck and to whisper
into his ear, till indeed it seemed as though the great brute that loved
her understood. At the least he pricked his ears and tossed his head,
then looked, first round at the horses that drew near, and next at the
foaming flood in front.

"Sit fast, Swallow," said Sihamba, and then she cried a word aloud to
the horse, and struck it lightly with her hand. At the sound of that
word the stallion drew himself together, sprang forward with two bounds
over the ten paces of level bank and leapt far out into the flood that
foamed beneath. Down sank the horse and his riders till the Red Water
closed over their heads, then they rose again and heard the shout of
wonder of their enemies, who by now had almost reached the bank. With
a yell of rage Black Piet rode his horse at the river, for to do him
justice he was a brave man, but do what he might it would not face it,
so wi