East meant going in the right direction for Echo Nek and the mountains, though I should have to bear off after a time towards the north-east.

Anyhow, matters were so far in my favour, and I tried to sit firm in the saddle as I let the horse amble on at the pace which I had often compared to swinging in an easy-chair; but the movement was agony now, and my great dread was lest I should faint and fall, for the suffering seemed greater than I could bear.
In times of emergency--as I have often learned since--we are very poor judges, whether as boys or men, of how much the human frame can bear.
Thus, in spite of all I suffered, I kept in the saddle, while, in what gradually seemed to grow into a horrible, fevered dream, my brave little horse ambled on and on, and later settled into a walk.

He seemed always to be aiming for one great dim star, which gave me encouragement; then the dread came over me that, from his steady pursuance of our journey, he must be making for home, and taking me right into the midst of my enemies.
After a time he stopped short, and from the steady _crop, crop, crop_, I knew he was amongst grass; and he grazed away long enough before moving on again at his old amble.

Again he pulled up for another good long feed, while I managed to find words to talk to him--foolishly, no doubt; but it helped me and kept off the feeling of pain and loneliness, seeming to give me strength, too, as I called him "Poor fellow," and told him how sorry I was I could not get down to rest him, and make his meal pleasanter by unfastening the curb and taking out his bit.
It was all folly perhaps; but my words were very earnest and true, and I believe the poor, faithful slave liked to hear my voice, for every now and then when I spoke he would cease cropping the rich grass, whose moist odour rose pleasantly to my nostrils, and utter one of his low whinnying calls.
"He is happy enough," I thought, in my dull misery; "while I, suffering as I do, would give anything for a mouthful of water.

Oh!" I sighed aloud at last, "if this long night would only come to an end, and I could reach a spruit.