lations of
Katrine and Hans. Upon hearing the condition of those whom Bernhard had
lately left, there was a general cry of "On, on! let us go help them."
Bernhard, however, stopped this eagerness, and made inquiries as to the
amount of ammunition amongst the parties, the number of horses, etc.

"We should take extra horses, and as much ammunition as we can carry,"
he urged; "we shall very likely have to right, and certainly there must
be enough horses to carry all the party."

The most experienced at once agreed that this step was necessary, and it
was therefore decided that whilst the main body moved forward some five
or six should return to the waggons, which were about five miles off,
bring extra horses, and all the ammunition, and follow the main body.

Great was the anxiety of all the party to get forward. Hans was a
favourite with them all; and the general opinion was, that it would be
very odd if Hans had not managed to be a match in some way for any
Matabili who might have discovered him. During the whole day the
cavalcade advanced with speed, led by Bernhard, and, with but two brief
halts, continued their progress, until darkness set in and they were
compelled to halt. Bernhard was now in great hopes that he would be
enabled to rescue Hans and the girls; for thirty mounted Boers, all
well-armed and amply supplied with ammunition, was a formidable force,
and one that, against savages armed with spears only, was not easy to
withstand. He was therefore much better pleased with the aspect of
affairs than he was on the previous night, when he had camped within a
few miles of this same locality.

Although a watch was kept and other precautions taken against a
surprise, the Dutchmen made no great efforts to conceal themselves: they
thus lighted a fire and cooked their provisions, amongst which coffee
was one of the items, a steaming tea-cup of which can only be fully
appreciated by those who have for days had water as the mere quencher of
thirst. Soon after the camp had been formed the party which had been
sent back for extra horses regained their brother hunters, and the
reinforcement for Hans now amounted to thirty-two hunters, all Dutchmen,
and four Hottentots; whilst forty-two horses in all were either ridden
or led by the party.

Bernhard estimated that he could reach the ground near which Hans would
be concealed by about mid-day on the morrow, and thus, instead of taking
a week to obtain aid, he would