OF THE OLD WORLD. 2GD 



the freshness of the spoor, were evidently not very 

 far ahead, might travel a long way. 



I therefore determined to be at once on their 

 heels, and lighting a large bull's-eye lanthorn (which 

 one of the gang always carried) and branches of 

 dry resinous wood, we continued the pursuit, follow- 

 ing the trail almost as fast as before. I counted 

 that we should get over many miles before morning, 

 and perhaps even come up with the herd ; at any 

 rate, we might expect to fall in with them before 

 the next night. 



Notwithstanding we were tired and hungry, we 

 did not linger, but followed up the spoor with every 

 precaution, keenly scrutinising the ground in ad- 

 vance of us, in the hope of perceiving the objects of 

 our search. 



After some time we descended into a deep valley, 

 and there encountered an obstacle that proved not 

 only a serious barrier to our progress, but almost 

 brought our tracking to a termination. This was a 

 tract of dense bamboo-jungle, with thick underwood, 

 which we could hardly penetrate without the con- 

 stant use of our axes. Our lights also proved very 

 insufficient, and for several long weary hours we 

 followed the trail, the greater part of the time crawl- 

 ing on our hands and knees. At last the long- 

 wished-for moon shone forth, lighting up the forest 

 with her cheering rays. Darkness passed away, and 

 the night became clear as day. 



Extinguishing our torches, on we pressed with 



