traveller bargains to lose a large
percentage of horses and oxen on every trip that he makes into strange
districts; for it seems that horses seasoned in one district take the
disease in another, and thus the traveller has to test the constitution
of the animal that carries him by passing through various portions of
country, many of which are what may be termed infected. In the far
desert the loss of cattle and horses is a disaster beyond remedy, and
often causes the ruin of the hunter, or, as in the present case, entails
a great risk of life.

Almost concealed, even from close observation, amidst the dense bush of
the ravine, Hans' party believed they had escaped being seen by the
ever-watchful Matabili, who seemed to continue their journey in the same
direction they were pursuing when first observed. The horses were kept
concealed behind the densest bushes, whilst Hans watched the enemy, who
was more than a mile distant from him. The warrior, however, trained in
the desert observes facts which would escape the attention of the
civilised, or half-civilised man, and notices and attaches a meaning to
trifling circumstances quite beyond the perception of the other. Just
as the Matabili were within the shortest distance at which their path
would bring them near the white fugitives, some vultures, attracted
probably by the horses of the Dutchmen, halted in their steady flight,
and commenced circling overhead Hans observed this at once, and knew the
danger of the circumstance.

"The Matabili will see this and will become suspicious," Hans exclaimed;
"they are not men to overlook the vultures' signal."

Scarcely had he spoken before the Matabili halted and stood gazing at
the bushes amidst which the party were crouching. A very short
examination seemed to satisfy them, for, dividing into two parties, they
started at a run towards the ravine, beating their shields and muttering
a low-toned song.

"We had better ride for it," said Hans; "we might kill half their
number, but the remainder would finish us. Come, Katie, mount the
schimmel horse; we will have a gallop."

The two girls were soon mounted, and though they had to ride on a man's
saddle, with one stirrup crossed over to supply the place of a pommel,
they had been too much accustomed to horses from their childhood to find
much difficulty in this performance. Victor and Bernhard were soon
ready also, and merely waiting for the signal to gallop off.

"Let the