Swartboy assured them of this.

The poor animals might be carried hundreds of miles before they could separate themselves from the great herd, or bring their involuntary journey to an end! The horses could travel but little farther.

There was nought to feed them on but the leaves of the mimosas, and this was but poor food for hungry horses.

It would be fortunate if they could be kept alive until they should reach some pasture; and where now was pasture to be found?
Locusts and antelopes between them seemed to have turned all Africa into a desert! The field-cornet soon formed his resolution.

He would remain there for the night, and early on the morrow set out in search of some other spring.
Fortunately Hans had not neglected to secure a brace of the springboks; and their fat venison now came into general use.