CHAPTER FIFTEEN.
SPOORING FOR A SPRING.
Von Bloom was in the saddle at an early hour.

Swartboy accompanied him, while all the others remained by the wagon to await his return.

They took with them the two horses that had remained by the wagon, as these were fresher than the others.
They rode nearly due westward.

They were induced to take this direction by observing that the springboks had come from the north.

By heading westward they believed they would sooner get beyond the wasted territory.
To their great satisfaction an hour's travelling carried them clear of the track of the antelope migration; and although they found no water, there was excellent grass.
The field-cornet now sent Swartboy back for the other horses and the cow, pointing out a place where he should bring them to graze, while he himself continued on in search of water.
After travelling some miles farther, Von Bloom perceived to the north of him a long line of cliff rising directly up from the plain, and running westward as far as he could see.