In my youth I was a good runner, being strong of leg and light in body, but I do not think that I ever covered seven miles, for that was about the distance to the camp, in quicker time than I did that morning.

Indeed, I left those active Kaffirs so far behind that when I approached the trees they were not in sight.

Here I dropped to a walk, as I said to myself--to get my breath.

Really it was because I felt so terrified at what I might find that I delayed the discovery just for one minute more.

While I approached, hope, however faint, still remained; when I arrived, hope might be replaced by everlasting despair.
Now I could see that there were some shanties built behind the wagons, doubtless those "rude houses" of which Marie had written.