ough the storm. But this alternative was a
terrible one, for even if water had existed in the pans for which he
was searching, it was all too probable that the storm would have filled
up every pit with sand, and to penetrate so far would make return
impossible. However, I could not remain where I was and die without a
struggle; so, dividing the load as well as possible among the almost
exhausted animals, I again entered the maze of dunes and struck due
east, full of forebodings as to my own possible fate, and of sorrow for
that of poor Inyati. For hours I stumbled through the bewildering mass
of broken and barren dunes, finding no trace of vegetation, and full of
apprehension lest the wind should rise before I reached the pan; in
which case I was doomed. At long length, and when the afternoon was
well advanced, a flat dark space showed between two dunes some distance
ahead, and an hour later I stood upon the pan. No salt pan this time,
but a flat, circular floor of dry mud, hard and entirely free from the
surrounding sand. Here and there a few stunted bushes grew, and in the
centre of the circle which was about a mile across stood a huge herd of
gemsbok. They made off at a canter as I rode wearily across to the
depression in the centre where I hoped to find water. But the shallow,
hoof-trampled hollow was bone-dry; there was no sign of Inyati either,
and my heart sank as I realized that my struggle had been in vain.
Anyway, here I must rest and eat, and drink a little of my tiny stock
of water, and on the morrow make my last struggle on foot, for it was
evident that the horses could go no further, and were dying of thirst.
I threw off their light loads, and they stood with drooping heads and
ears, the picture of dejection. A mouthful of water was all I dare
drink, and there remained less than a pint in the water-skin. Almost
stupefied, exhausted, and despondent, I lay down beside a tiny bush, at
whose dry twigs the famished horses were now trying to nibble, and sank
into a state of half sleep, half stupor.

The sound of a shot aroused me from my lethargy had I been dreaming? No
there it was again; and now across the pan came streaming back the herd
of gemsbok, and after them ran and stumbled a nude black figure, that
now and again paused to single out an animal and shoot.

"Inyati! Inyati! Thank God!" I cried out, for it could be no other; and
as fast as my aching limbs allowed I hastened towards him. Now he was
down b