looking large as donkeys and red as lions as they vanished into the
thick cover. So close were they to Suzanne that her mare took fright and
reared; but the girl was the best horsewoman in those parts, and
kept her seat, calling the while to Ralph to make ready for the buck.
Presently she heard a shot, and having quieted the mare, rode out of the
reeds and galloped round the dry pan to find Ralph looking foolish with
no riet-buck in sight.

"Have you missed them?" she asked.

"No, not so bad as that, for they passed within ten yards of me, but
the old gun hung fire. I suppose that the powder in the pan was a little
damp, and instead of hitting the buck in front I caught him somewhere
behind. He fell down, but has gone on again, so we must follow him, for
I don't think that he will get very far."

Accordingly, when Ralph had reloaded his gun, which took some time--for
in those days we had scarcely anything but flintlocks--yes, it was with
weapons like these that a handful of us beat the hosts of Dingaan and
Moselikatse--they started to follow the blood spoor up the kloof, which
was not difficult, as the animal had bled much. Near to the top of the
kloof the trail led them through a thick clump of mimosas, and there in
the dell beyond they found the riet-buck lying dead. Riding to it they
dismounted and examined it.

"Poor beast," said Suzanne; "look how the tears have run down its face.
Well, I am glad that it is dead and done with," and she sighed and
turned away, for Suzanne was a silly and tender-hearted girl who
never could understand that the animals--yes, and the heathen Kaffirs,
too--were given to us by the Lord for our use and comfort.