north-east. Anyhow,
matters were so far in my favour, and I tried to sit firm in the saddle
as I let the horse amble on at the pace which I had often compared to
swinging in an easy-chair; but the movement was agony now, and my great
dread was lest I should faint and fall, for the suffering seemed greater
than I could bear.

In times of emergency--as I have often learned since--we are very poor
judges, whether as boys or men, of how much the human frame can bear.
Thus, in spite of all I suffered, I kept in the saddle, while, in what
gradually seemed to grow into a horrible, fevered dream, my brave little
horse ambled on and on, and later settled into a walk. He seemed always
to be aiming for one great dim star, which gave me encouragement; then
the dread came over me that, from his steady pursuance of our journey,
he must be making for home, and taking me right into the midst of my
enemies.

After a time he stopped short, and from the steady _crop, crop, crop_, I
knew he was amongst grass; and he grazed away long enough before moving
on again at his old amble. Again he pulled up for another good long
feed, while I managed to find words to talk to him--foolishly, no doubt;
but it helped me and kept off the feeling of pain and loneliness,
seeming to give me strength, too, as I called him "Poor fellow," and
told him how sorry I was I could not get down to rest him, and make his
meal pleasanter by unfastening the curb and taking out his bit.

It was all folly perhaps; but my words were very earnest and true, and I
believe the poor, faithful slave liked to hear my voice, for every now
and then when I spoke he would cease cropping the rich grass, whose
moist odour rose pleasantly to my nostrils, and utter one of his low
whinnying calls.

"He is happy enough," I thought, in my dull misery; "while I, suffering
as I do, would give anything for a mouthful of water. Oh!" I sighed
aloud at last, "if this long night would only come to an end, and I
could reach a spruit. Just to get down and have one long drink, before
trying to sleep and rest!"

As I said these words I felt that no sleep could possibly come to one
suffering such pain, and in desperation I once more made an effort to
free my hands, but only to set my teeth hard and utter a faint groan,
for the pain I suffered in the act seemed to increase tenfold.

I felt half-delirious and strange after that, or at least it seems so
now; but I have some recollection of