r for the sake of his gun or clothes,
whilst the latter would consider a white man a very good meal for dinner
or supper.

As Hans intended to pursue his journey alone, should no other means
present themselves, he trusted that his knowledge of the habits of wild
beasts, and his weapon, which he well knew how to use, would enable him
to defend himself against any number of these enemies. He also hoped
that he should be able to gain from his countrymen such information as
would enable him to judge where and when he must travel in order to
avoid any enemies who might endanger his safe transit across the
country.

Thus Hans without hesitation left the last lager of the farmers near the
Orange river, and with no other guide than an old waggon-track, and the
knowledge that he must ride in a north-easterly direction, he started
for the pass in the Draakensberg mountains by which he should be able to
reach his friends near the Bushman's river. Having exchanged the horse
which had carried him from Port Elizabeth for another well suited to
carry pack-saddles, and having bought a hardy, well-trained, shooting
horse, Hans was amply provided for a week's ride. The country through
which he intended riding was well supplied with game; there was water in
abundance; and thus to the hunter supplied with ammunition there was all
that might be needed to be obtained on the journey.

During two days Hans rode steadily onwards, passing principally over
plains where ostriches scoured away on seeing him. Herds of gnus and
bontebok bounded over the plains, and many solitary antelopes started
from their lairs as he approached them. As these old familiar sights
once more greeted him, Hans felt a sensation of freedom which he had in
vain sought for since his capture by the slavers. As he looked around
at the free, open, untrodden country, and saw the creatures on it, he
went back in memory to Cape Town and the life led there, and he could
not help being thankful that he had been to that town, in order that now
he might more fully appreciate his free life. Having brought with him
some cooked meat and biscuit, he had no need of shooting in order to
supply himself with food; and thus on the third evening of his ride he
stopped near a narrow ravine where a clear stream ran over the rocks,
and where there were several fine trees, underneath which broken
branches were scattered in abundance, and where there was consequently
plenty of fuel for f