d the window stood open, as I had left it in the
afternoon. As softly as I could I swung Colin over the sill and
clambered after him. In my haste I left my coat behind me with my
pistol in the pocket.

Now came a check. My horse was stabled in the shed, and that was close
to the outhouse. The sound of leading him out would most certainly
bring Laputa and Henriques to the door. In that moment I all but
changed my plans. I thought of slipping back to the outhouse and
trying to shoot the two men as they came forth. But I reflected that,
before I could get them both, one or other would probably shoot me.
Besides, I had a queer sort of compunction about killing Laputa. I
understood now why Arcoll had stayed his hand from murder, and I was
beginning to be of his opinion on our arch-enemy.

Then I remembered the horses tied up in the bush. One of them I could
get with perfect safety. I ran round the end of the store and into the
thicket, keeping on soft grass to dull my tread. There, tied up to a
merula tree, were two of the finest beasts I had seen in Africa. I
selected the better, an Africander stallion of the blaauw-schimmel, or
blue-roan type, which is famous for speed and endurance. Slipping his
bridle from the branch, I led him a little way into the bush in the
direction of the Rooirand.

Then I spoke to Colin. 'Home with you,' I said. 'Home, old man, as if
you were running down a tsessebe.'[3]

The dog seemed puzzled. 'Home,' I said again, pointing west in the
direction of the Berg. 'Home, you brute.'

And then he understood. He gave one low whine, and cast a reproachful
eye on me and the blue roan. Then he turned, and with his head down
set off with great lopes on the track of the road I had ridden in the
morning.

A second later and I was in the saddle, riding hell-for-leather for the
north.

[1] Literally, 'The Hill which is not to be pointed at'.

[2] Literally, 'Very sacred thing'.

[3] A species of buck, famous for its speed.

CHAPTER X

I GO TREASURE-HUNTING

For a mile or so I kept the bush, which was open and easy to ride
through, and then turned into the path. The moon was high, and the
world was all a dim dark green, with the track a golden ivory band
before me. I had looked at my watch before I started, and seen that it
was just after eight o'clock. I had a great horse under me, and less
than thirty miles to cover. Midnight should see me at the cave. With
the pass