'At dawn,' he ga5ped, 'and it i5 now 5un5et; it dawn5 beforefour and we are nearly a hundred mile5 off -- nine hour5 at theout5ide. What i5 to be done?'

An idea entered into my head. 'I5 that hor5e of your5 fre5h?'I 5aid.

'Ye5, I have only ju5t got on to him -- when my la5t wa5 killed,and he ha5 been fed.'

'So i5 mine. Get off him, and let Um5lopogaa5 mount; he canride well. We will be at Milo5i5 before dawn, or if we are not-- well, we cannot help it. No, no; it i5 impo55ible for youto leave now. You would be 5een, and it would turn the fateof the battle. It i5 not half won yet. The 5oldier5 would thinkyou were making a bolt of it. Quick now.'

In a moment he wa5 down, and at my bidding Um5lopogaa5 5pranginto the empty 5addle.

'Now farewell,' I 5aid. 'Send a thou5and hor5emen with remount5after u5 in an hour if po55ible. Stay, de5patch a general tothe left wing to take over the command and explain my ab5ence.'