of the door, whistling a lively air.
He knew that I always threw my cloak over my head and shoulders as a
protection from the sun and stinging flies when coming out of the water,
and so his suspicion was not aroused, and I was not followed. The
pool was about ten minutes' walk from the house; I arrived at it with
palpitating heart, and going round to its end, where the stream was
shallow, sat down to rest for a few moments and take a few sips of cool
water dipped up in my palm. Presently I rose, crossed the stream, and
began running, keeping among the low trees near the bank until a
dry gully, which extended for some distance across the savannah, was
reached. By following its course the distance to be covered would be
considerably increased, but the shorter way would have exposed me to
sight and made it more dangerous. I had put forth too much speed at
first, and in a short time my exertions, and the hot sun, together with
my intense excitement, overcame me. I dared not hope that my flight
had not been observed; I imagined that the Indians, unencumbered by any
heavy weight, were already close behind me, and ready to launch
their deadly spears at my back. With a sob of rage and despair I fell
prostrate on my face in the dry bed of the stream, and for two or three
minutes remained thus exhausted and unmanned, my heart throbbing so
violently that my whole frame was shaken. If my enemies had come on me
then disposed to kill me, I could not have lifted a hand in defence of
my life. But minutes passed and they came not. I rose and went on, at a
fast walk now, and when the sheltering streamed ended, I stooped among
the sere dwarfed shrubs scattered about here and there on its southern
side; and now creeping and now running, with an occasional pause to
rest and look back, I at last reached the dividing ridge at its southern
extremity. The rest of the way was over comparatively easy ground,
inclining downwards; and with that glad green forest now full in sight,
and hope growing stronger every minute in my breast, my knees ceased to
tremble, and I ran on again, scarcely pausing until I had touched and
lost myself in the welcome shadows.

CHAPTER XIV

Ah, that return to the forest where Rima dwelt, after so anxious day,
when the declining sun shone hotly still, and the green woodland shadows
were so grateful! The coolness, the sense of security, allayed the fever
and excitement I had suffered on the open savannah; I walked l