His horses, and cattle, and sheep, could not live without food; and should these perish, upon what were he and his family to subsist?
He must leave the kraal.
He must go in search of pasture, without loss of time,--at once.
Already the animals, shut up beyond their usual hour, were uttering their varied cries, impatient to be let out.

They would soon hunger; and it was hard to say when food could be procured for them.
There was no time to be lost.

Every hour was of great importance,--even minutes must not be wasted in dubious hesitation.
The field-cornet spent but a few minutes in consideration.

Whether should he mount one of his best horses, and ride off alone in search of pasture?
or whether would it not be better to "inspann" his wagon, and take everything along with him at once?
He soon decided in favour of the latter course.

In any case he would have been compelled to move from his present location,--to leave the kraal altogether.
He might as well take everything at once.