Sandho going on, stopping to crop
the grass, and then going on again and again, till I found myself gazing
straight before me at a faint, dull light in the distance--a light which
increased more and more, bringing with it a kind of feeling of hope that
the long night of agony was coming to an end, for I knew I was gazing
eastward, and that it would soon be day.

Shortly afterwards I could see we were getting to the termination of the
plain, for there were scattered blocks of stone, with mountains beyond;
and something seemed to flash through me at the sight. "Stones," I said
aloud; "of course! Why not some rough edge against which I can saw the
raw-hide straps which bind my hands?"

There was a faint speck of orange light high up in the sky just then,
and it seemed to be reflected somehow into my brain, making me see my
way at last to a better state of things. Hope was coming with the new
day, and the blackness of despair slowly dying out.

With the sun rapidly brightening the sky, I urged Sandho forward, but
only at a walk, for he was weary and sluggish, and the slightest
movement beyond that pace brought back the sickening pain so intensely
that I believe if he had broken into a trot I should have fainted and
fallen to the ground. By going gently, however, we gradually neared the
wild and rocky portion beyond which the huge masses of stone towered up
into a mighty heap, forming one of the rough hills with precipitous
sides known to the Dutch settlers as "kopjes" or "heads."

I now began to revive more and more in the fresh, invigorating morning
air, and carefully examined the open veldt away to the north and east in
search of the enemy; but not a living thing was visible. Then I turned
my attention towards the rough ground in front and the kopje beyond, as
I knew full well these were likely to be the home of other enemies,
which on an ordinary occasion would retreat before an armed and mounted
man; how they would behave towards one so completely helpless I
shuddered to think. Sandho, however, made no sign beyond raising his
muzzle again to sniff at the breeze we encountered; and when I called
upon him to halt, he lowered his head directly and began to crop the
rich grass growing amongst the stones.

My intention now was to dismount; but I sat still, hesitating, and
looking away over the open veldt, fearing to alight, being fully aware
how helpless I should be and unequal to the task of remounting.

Howeve