of the Old World. 281 



the gang always carried) and branches of dry resinous 

 wood, we continued the pursuit, following 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 pre- 

 caution, keenly scrutinising the ground in advance 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 constant 

 use of our axes. Our lights also proved very insuffi- 

 cient, and for several long weary hours we followed 

 the trail, the greater part of the time crawling 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 

 renewed vigour. The roar of water sounded in our 

 ears from the direction towards which the trail was 

 leading us, and after a short time we came to a for- 

 midable torrent, which, freshened by recent rains on 



