observed Swinton, "it shows that we should never despair, and
never leave a chance untried, even in the most desperate circumstances.
You are back again, and I thank the Almighty for it, with all my heart,
and all my soul, and all my strength, most fervently and most sincerely.
I have been very, very miserable, I can assure you, my dear fellows.
The idea of returning to the Cape without you was dreadful. Indeed, I
never would have left the country until I had found you, or had some
clue to your deaths."

"Our preservation has indeed been miraculous," replied the Major; "I
never thought to have raised my head out of the ant-hill again."

"Nor I," replied Alexander; "and, next to the Almighty, we certainly owe
our lives to little Omrah. There is nothing that I would not do for
that boy, if you will give him over to my care."

"Or mine, Swinton," said the Major.

"Depend upon it," replied Swinton, "I will do all for him that ought to
be done; I owe him a debt of gratitude for preserving my friends, and
will not forget to repay it."

"Well then, you must allow us to help him as well," replied the Major.
"How far are we now from the Modder River?"

"About forty miles, I should think, and we had better push on as fast as
we can; for although the river will contain water, the pools in the
desert between us and the river will soon be dried up. The cattle,
however, are still very weak,--and, as I have stated, we have lost all
our relays. But you must long to have a good night's rest, so go to
your waggons, and we will watch and keep off the wild beasts. We have
been obliged to fire our guns all night long, since your absence; and
have burnt one of the spare poles of the waggons, to cook our victuals."

Everything is comparative. When our travellers first took up their
night's lodgings in the waggons, they found their resting-places hard,
after sleeping in comfortable beds at Cape Town; but now, after having
passed their nights in the wide desert, their mattresses in the waggons
were a luxury that was fully appreciated. Returning thanks to Heaven
for their preservation, Alexander and the Major slept soundly till
morning, notwithstanding that the latter was often half-roused by the
importunities of Begum, who appeared delighted at the return of her
master.

At daylight the oxen were yoked, and they proceeded on their journey.
There was no want of game; indeed they were so plentiful, that they shot
them from the car