Victor for an instant examined the animal, and then with an exclamation
said, "It is the sickness. We are lost if the others go in the same
way."
"They will go for certain," replied Hans, "and so we had better ride
whilst we can. That chestnut will be dead in an hour. We must leave
him here, and push on with the others."
The sickness to which Victor referred is the dreaded pest of every South
African traveller: the cattle disease which lately in England has
carried off whole herds, is not dissimilar to the so-called sickness
which affects South African horses and cattle. A horse may appear quite
well in the morning, and even when ridden indicate no signs of illness;
perhaps about mid-day he may appear slightly dull and lazy, and in the
evening be dead. No remedy has yet been found to be effective against
this sickness, and thus every 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 men descend into that hollow," said Hans, "then they will not
see us ride away. We will keep the slope of the hill, as the streams
are smaller there than in the valley below. Now, be ready, men, and off
with you."
The horses, though far from fresh, in consequence of the small amount of
food they had eaten, yet responded to the application of the impromptu
whip which each rider had provided himself with, and started at a pace
which, if continued, would have placed the riders far beyond the
possibility of capture from any pedestrians. Hans, however, knew the
infectious nature of the sickness, and watched with anxiety the action
of the various horses, for if another horse died, one animal would have
to carry double weight, a fact which would prevent any rapid progress.
He knew too that the Matabili could journey fully fifty miles a day for
several days, and this would be more than the half-starved horses could
manage; so that the present position was one of extreme danger.
By the time the Matabili had reached the spot on which Hans and his
party had been concealed, he had ridden nearly two miles away, and his
spoor alone showed the Matabili how near they had been to their enemies;
for they at once recognised the freshness of this spoor, whilst the
dying horse showed that he had not been long deserted.
Not knowing that two out of the five riders were women, the Matabili
fortunately did not pursue in a body, but despatching two of their
fastest and best runners to watch the enemy and to bring back the latest
intelligence, the remainder continued their journey towards the
head-quarters of their chief.
During fully three hours Hans rode steadily onwards, the sun, the ranges
of hills, and the streams serving to show him in which direction he
should travel. Wishing to give the horses every chance, he then deemed
it advisable to halt, and allow the animals to graze, as also to try and
procure some food for the party. Selecting the bank of a stream, where
a clear open space round prevented much chance of a surprise, he again
off-saddled the horses; and telling Victor and Bernhard to prepare a
fire, he started in search of food.
To a hunter as well skilled as was Hans in the habits of animals it was
not difficult to procure game when provided with a gun. Some patches of
grass and weeds on the leeward side of a ravine at once attracted him;
there he thought either a reitbok or a duiker should be found, and
either would supply enough food for two days.
Hans was correct in his judgment, and obtained an easy shot at a
reitbok, which he killed, and thus provided his companions with food
sufficient for two days. Roughly cooked as it was, and eaten with
nothing else, it yet was not despised by any one of the party.
About two hours' additional riding from the last resting-place completed
the day's journey, and a suitable locality having been chosen, the party
halted for the night, Hans agreeing to sleep first whilst Victor
watched, and then to take his turn about midnight.