"Yes, I will go," said Bernhard, "so let us talk over your plans."

The three friends, having thus agreed to share each other's fate,
separated themselves from their companions, and sat down beneath a tree
whose wide-spreading branches sheltered them from the heavy dew that was
falling. Each having lighted his pipe and remained quiet for several
minutes, was ready to listen or speak, according to circumstances.

"My plans," said Hans, are these: "to travel to the northward, and
conceal ourselves and our horses in the range of hills that overlook
Kapain. With my telescope I can observe all that goes on in the kraals,
while we run no risk of being seen. Our spoor will scarcely be
recognised, because so many horses have been travelling here lately; and
the attention of all the Matabili will be occupied in either watching
the main body of our people or in making preparations for an expedition
against them. They would never suspect that two or three of us would
remain in their country; and thus we, by daring, may avoid detection.
If we are discovered, we can ride away from the Matabili; and thus,
though at first it seems a great risk, yet it is not so bad after all.
These are my ideas."

"But," inquired Victor, "how are you going to get Katrine away, or her
sister?"

"I will take two spare horses with me, and they can then ride with us."

"You can't let Katrine know where you are, even if she is in the kraal
at Kapain," said Victor; "and without we can get to her, our journey
will be useless."

"Victor," said Hans, "will you trust me? I know what I am about, and
will not do any thing without seeing to what the spoor is leading; we
will start in half an hour."

A few words from Hans to the leader of the Boers informed him of his
intention of leaving the party; and though the chief urged upon Hans the
recklessness of his proceedings, he had yet no actual authority to
prevent him and his two companions from acting as they wished; so,
cautioning him of the risk he ran, he wished him success, and bade him
good-bye.

It was about midnight when Hans and his companions left the Boers'
encampment and started on their perilous journey. They rode for a
considerable distance on the back spoor of their track, then, turning
northward, they followed the course of some streams which flowed from
the ranges of hills in the North-East. They continued their journey
with rapidity, for the moon shone brightly and enabled them t