so. I could now entertain no doubt
that I had hit upon the way out of this terrible prairie. It struck me as
being rather singular that two travellers should have met in this immense
plain, which so few persons traversed; but that they had done so was
certain, for there was the track of the two horses as plain as possible.
The trail was fresh, too, and it was evidently not long since the horsemen
had passed. It might still be possible to overtake them, and in this hope
I rode on faster than ever, as fast, at least, as my mustang could carry
me through the thick grass and flowers, which in many places were four or
five feet high.

During the next three hours I passed over some ten or twelve miles of
ground, but although the trail still lay plainly and broadly marked before
me, I say nothing of those who had left it. Still I persevered. I must
overtake them sooner or later, provided I did not lose the track; and that
I was most careful not to do, keeping my eyes fixed upon the ground as I
rode along, and never deviating from the line which the travellers had
followed.

In this manner the day passed away, and evening approached. I still felt
hope and courage; but my physical strength began to give way. The gnawing
sensation of hunger increased. I was sick and faint; my limbs became heavy,
my blood seemed chilled in my veins, and all my senses appeared to grow
duller under the influence of exhaustion, thirst, and hunger. My eyesight
became misty, my hearing less acute, the bridle felt cold and heavy in my
fingers.

Still I rode on. Sooner or later I must find an outlet; the prairie must
have an end somewhere. It is true the whole of Southern Texas is one vast
prairie; but then there are rivers flowing through it, and if I could
reach one of those, I should not be far from the abodes of men. By
following the streams five or six miles up or down, I should be sure to
find a plantation.

As I was thus reasoning with, and encouraging myself, I suddenly perceived
the traces of a third horse, running parallel to the two which I had been
so long following. This was indeed encouragement. It was certain that
three travellers, arriving from different points of the prairie, and all
going in the same direction, must have some object, must be repairing to
some village or clearing, and where or what this was had now become
indifferent to me, so long as I once more found myself amongst my
fellow-men. I spurred on my mustang, who was be