We drew rein on the crest of the ridge, to hold a consultation and determine what next to do.
"They can't very well have gone beyond this body of water," said Jack, "unless they made a wide detour, one way or the other, to flank it."
"No, I can't see how that is possible," I answered; "and, furthermore, it would be a very rash proceeding for them, as it would carry them much farther from their camp than it would be judicious for them to go. What do you think about it, Harry!"
"I really don't know what to think," was the reply; "I'm puzzled; but we sha'n't do any good by standing here. Let's ride on into the valley, and down to the edge of the water. Perhaps we may find something there that will give us information, or, at any rate, will hint to us what we want."
We acted upon Harry's suggestion, and rode on into the valley. Everywhere around us were the indications of a heavy rain—one of those tremendous downpours peculiar to the tropics all the world over. South Africa has its share, some parts being more favored than others; in fact, the rainfall is very unevenly distributed in that country, some portions getting much more than they want and others much less. With an even distribution of rain, South Africa would be a far more fertile country than it is.
A short distance before we reached the lake we caught sight of two buffaloes that were having a good time wallowing in a large puddle of mud and water. That is one of the buffalo's amusements: nothing delights him more than a wallow in the mud; and the more he can cause the stuff to adhere to his skin the better he seems to be satisfied.
When we reached the water's edge we noted the indications of the banks, and saw that the lake was of very recent formation. There did not seem to be any current to it, the water was very muddy, and there was not the slightest sign of any ripple in the sand on the shore, nor was there any streak of debris piled up there.
"I have it, boys," I said: "there has been a heavy rain, and perhaps a cloud-burst, just beyond here. Twenty-four hours ago this was as barren and dry as the plain that we have just crossed; the water has come in here with a rush and filled this up. Now the chances are that our friends had gone on beyond here before the rain and cloud-burst, and can't get back."
"Yes, that may be," said Harry; "but they could send the fore-looper to outflank the water somewhere and get away to camp."
We were intently regarding the water where it came in contact with the earth, and did not look up for some minutes. At length we raised our eyes and glanced over the water, which was perhaps half a mile across. Over toward the other shore we saw a little island, rounded on the top, and fairly well covered with trees. Our gaze naturally rested on this island, and as it did so we saw the flutter of something white upon it, exactly as we had seen the fluttering in the tree when the lions stood at its base.