the grass in all directions; we thus -had a line of
fire between the camp and ourselves; this burnt
slowly, as the north wind had carried the blaze
rapidly in the other direction. We rode along the
bottom of a watercourse, and reached the Salaam
river, thus avoiding the fire ; but, some hours before
we neared the camp, night had set in. We had
beaten the fire, as we had got to windward, and
slowly and tediously we toiled along the crumbling
soil, stumbling among the crevices, that were nearly
invisible in the moonlight.
Thus we crept onwards; I had found riding impracticable,
therefore the horses were led, with much
difficulty, as they constantly slipped up to their
knees in the numerous fissures. It was difficult to
recognise our position in the moonlight, and we were
doubtful whether we had not missed our route to
the camp. My watch told me that it was past nine
o’clock, and. we had been sixteen hours in hard work
without the slightest rest. We halted to confer
about the direction of the camp, when suddenly I
heard the report of a gun to our right; we immediately
turned, and hastened towards the welcome
sound.; presently I heard a distant shout. As we
approached, this was repeated, and as I hurried forward,
I recognised my own name shouted in an
agonised voice. I ran on alone at my best speed,
after giving a loud shrill whistle upon my fingers.
This was quickly replied to, and I repeated the well-
known signal, until in about ten minutes I met my