True to our agreement, we all inspanned on the following morning and trekked away, the ladies going to the southwest, we to the southeast. We breakfasted together, and the last bottle of champagne was used in drinking health and a safe journey, together with all sorts of good wishes to each and every one of the party. Tears were in all our eyes as we separated, but there were fewer in Harry's, than in those of any of the rest.
The ladies' wagon was ready sooner than were our own wagons, and they pulled out in advance of us. We fired a farewell volley as they departed, and they fired one in return.
"I wonder if we'll ever meet again?" said Harry, with a sigh, as he watched the retreating forms of the two ladies on horseback.
"Perhaps so," said Jack, in a tone of confidence; "the world is small, and the paths of humanity constantly cross each other."
"Yes," I answered, in consonance with Jack, "the world is very small, and the more I live the more I comprehend the correctness of the assertion. Of course life has many chances, but I confidently believe that we have not separated from our friends for all time."
We met with no mishap of consequence during our homeward journey, though we lost several of our oxen and my favorite horse, Brickdust, by the depredations of the lions. We were able to kill enough game to keep the company fairly supplied with provisions, but as we neared the settlements of the Boer farmers we found the game growing very scarce.
By the way, I must not fail to tell of an adventure which befell Harry during this journey. It was after we reached the settlements, and when game was scarce, that Harry pursued a quagga for quite a distance. Night overtook him, and he was not in sight of camp; he knew its general direction, and was riding for it, listening intently for the sound of the signal-guns that we always fired when one was out after dark. He was feeling rather gloomy at having lost his game, and was thinking of the possibilities of being obliged to camp out alone in the open air.
Suddenly his horse snorted, and indicated that there was something ahead. Harry urged him gently forward, and in the little light that remained he made out the forms of two quagga, that seemed to be standing entirely unalarmed in the presence of danger. To make sure work Harry dismounted, and by the quick use of his rifle he brought down both the animals. Then, clinging to his bridle, he went cautiously in the direction of his prizes to examine them. To his horror he discovered that they were horses; one of them was wearing a halter, and the other was fully harnessed. He had been shooting a Dutchman's wagon-team!
At the Tugela River we found such a flood that we were obliged to wait two days for it to subside. Then we went on, and one day, about noon, rolled into Durban with the air of conquering heroes. We sold our hides, ivory, and other things to good advantage, and recouped ourselves fully for our outlay. With our horses and oxen we were less fortunate; it is always the case, the world over, when you want to buy live-stock, nobody wants to sell, and when you want to sell nobody wants to buy, except at an enormous discount. You have the alternative of accepting half the value or of keeping the animals and seeing them perform that wonderful scientific feat of eating their heads off. We chose the former method and sold our stock at auction in the public square of Durban.
After everything had been cleaned up and our settlements made, I inquired for the first steamer that would leave for the Cape. Jack said he thought he would take a run down there, and he was glad that I intended going. Harry was not inclined to make the journey, and said he would stay awhile in Durban and then join another party going up-country. "I'll wait for you fellows," said he, "if you'll cut your Cape visit short, and come back in a reasonable time."