A Narrow Escape. 



187 



was now very sad, for tlie pony was a reo:ular pet, 

 and I had oTO"\vn quite attached to hiin. We 

 determined at once to quit this malignant locnlity, 

 and to proceed to Fort Victoria on the high veldt, 

 where we trusted our liorses might escape the 



A " Veldt " fire. 



illness. Bat this cursed place was nearlv fatal to 

 the expedition altogether. The heat of the day 

 was great, the grass long, thick and dry. While 

 we were at luncheon some natives must have set 

 fire to the grass in immediate proximity to, and 

 to windward of, our camp. At the well-kno^Mi 



