“We have overrun the spoor,” said Hume gloomily.
“Why, here stands the waggon!”
“She never came as far as this. The waggon was brought on here to lead us astray. They met the waggon in the road, and have gone off in a direction opposite to this. They may have circled round, struck the road below the old ‘outspan,’ and returned towards Pretoria.”
“Good heavens! then they may be fifty miles away?”
“Ay, and we are on foot.”
Webster groaned. “What next?”
“There is one hope. It is possible the Dutchman has a house somewhere in these parts, and, if so, we may find her before it is too late.”
“Then let us start. With a lantern it is possible to distinguish hoof-marks in the dust.”
“Come, then,” said Hume, after a quick look round.
The lantern was secured, and they strode off rapidly, Hume whistling.