It led back on the very track they had come; and no doubt any longer existed that they had returned to the kraal.
To overtake them before reaching that point, would be difficult, if at all possible.

Their tracks showed that they had gone off early in the night, and had travelled at a rapid rate--so that by this time they had most likely arrived at their old home.
This was a sad discovery.

To have followed them on the thirsting and hungry horses would have been a useless work; yet without the yoke-oxen how was the wagon to be taken forward to the spring?
It appeared to be a sad dilemma they were in; but after a short consultation the thoughtful Hans suggested a solution of it.
"Can we not attach the horses to the wagon ?" inquired he.

"The five could surely draw it on to the spring ?" "What! and leave the cattle behind ?" said Hendrik.

"If we do not go after them, they will be all lost, and then--" "We could go for them afterwards," replied Hans; "but is it not better first to push forward to the spring; and, after resting the horses a while, return then for the oxen?
They will have reached the kraal by this time.