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Then with a groan he gave up the argument； and as he found breath they
discussed their chances。 Their first idea was to hide； but save for a
few trees all the country was open； there was no place to cover them。
They thought of the banks of the Zambesi； but between them and the
river rose a bare； rock…strewn hill with several miles of slope。 Long
before they could reach its crest； even if a horse were able to travel
there； they must be overtaken。 In short； there was nothing to do
except to push for the nek； and if they were fortunate enough to reach
it before the Matabele； to abandon the horse there and try to conceal
themselves among the ruins of the houses beyond。 This； perhaps； they
might do when once the sun was down。
But they did not deceive themselves； the chances were at least fifty
to one against them； unless indeed their pursuers grew weary and let
them go。
At present； however； they were by no means weary； for having perceived
them from far away； the long…legged runners put on the pace； and the
distance between them and their quarry was lessening。
〃Father；〃 said Benita； 〃please understand one thing。 I do not mean to
be taken alive by those savages。〃
〃Oh！ how can I〃 he faltered。
〃I don't ask you；〃 she answered。 〃I will see to that myself。 Only； if
I should make any mistake〃 and she looked at him。
The old man was getting very tired。 He panted up the steep hillside；
and stumbled against the stones。 Benita noted it； and slipping from
the horse； made him mount while she ran alongside。 Then when he was a
little rested they changed places again； and so covered several miles
of country。 Subsequently； when both of them were nearly exhausted；
they tried riding togethershe in front and he behind； for their
baggage had long since been thrown away。 But the weary beast could not
carry this double burden； and after a few hundred yards of it；
stumbled； fell； struggled to its feet again； and stopped。
So once more they were obliged to ride and walk alternately。
Now there was not much more than an hour of daylight left； and the
narrow pass lay about three miles ahead of them。 That dreadful three
miles； ever thereafter it was Benita's favourite nightmare！ At the
beginning of it the leading Matabele were about two thousand yards
behind them； half…way； about a thousand； and at the commencement of
the last mile； say five hundred。
Nature is a wonderful thing； and great are its resources in extremity。
As the actual crisis approached； the weariness of these two seemed to
depart； or at any rate it was forgotten。 They no longer felt
exhausted； nor； had they been fresh from their beds； could they have
climbed or run better。 Even the horse seemed to find new energy； and
when it lagged Mr。 Clifford dug the point of his hunting knife into
its flank。 Gasping； panting； now one mounted and now the other； they
struggled on towards that crest of rock； while behind them came death
in the shape of those sleuth…hounds of Matabele。 The sun was going
down； and against its flaming ball； when they glanced back they could
see their dark forms outlined； the broad spears also looked red as
though they had been dipped in blood。 They could even hear their
taunting shouts as they called to them to sit down and be killed； and
save trouble。
Now they were not three hundred yards away； and the crest of the pass
was still half a mile ahead。 Five minutes passed； and here； where the
track was very rough； the horse blundered upwards slowly。 Mr。 Clifford
was riding at the time； and Benita running at his side； holding to the
stirrup leather。 She looked behind her。 The savages； fearing that
their victims might find shelter over the hill； were making a rush；
and the horse could go no faster。 One man； a great tall fellow； quite
out…distanced his companions。 Two minutes more and he was not over a
hundred paces from them； a little nearer than they were to the top of
the pass。 Then the horse stopped and refused to stir any more。
Mr。 Clifford jumped from the saddle； and Benita； who could not speak；
pointed to the pursuing Matabele。 He sat down upon a rock； cocked his
rifle； took a deep breath； and aimed and fired at the soldier who was
coming on carelessly in the open。 Mr。 Clifford was a good shot； and
shaken though he was； at this supreme moment his skill did not fail
him。 The man was struck somewhere； for he staggered about and fell；
then slowly picked himself up； and began to hobble back towards his
companions； who； when they met him； stopped a minute to give him some
kind of assistance。
That halt proved their salvation； for it gave them time to make one
last despairing rush； and gain the brow of the poort。 Not that this
would have saved them； however； since where they could go the Matabele
could follow； and there was still light by which the pursuers would
have been able to see to catch them。 Indeed； the savages； having laid
down the wounded man； came on with a yell of rage； fifty or more of
them。
Over the pass father and daughter struggled； Benita riding； after
them； perhaps sixty yards away； ran the Matabele； gathered in a knot
now upon the narrow； ancient road； bordered by steep hillsides。
Then suddenly from all about them； as it appeared to Benita； broke out
the blaze and roar of rifles； rapid and continuous。 Down went the
Matabele by twos and threes； till at last it seemed as though but
quite a few of them were left upon their feet； and those came on no
more； they turned and fled from the neck of the narrow pass to the
open slope beyond。
Benita sank to the ground； and the next thing that she could remember
was hearing the soft voice of Jacob Meyer； who said：
〃So you have returned from your ride； Miss Clifford； and perhaps it
was as well that the thought came from you to me that you wished me to
meet you here in this very place。〃
XVI
BACK AT BAMBATSE
How they reached Bambatse Benita never could remember； but afterwards
she was told that both she and her father were carried upon litters
made of ox…hide shields。 When she came to her own mind again； it was
to find herself lying in her tent outside the mouth of the cave within
the third enclosure of the temple…fortress。 Her feet were sore and her
bones ached； physical discomforts that brought back to her in a flash
all the terrors through which she had passed。
Again she saw the fierce pursuing Matabele； again heard their cruel
shouts and the answering crack of the rifles； again； amidst the din
and the gathering darkness； distinguished the gentle； foreign voice of
Meyer speaking his words of sarcastic greeting。 Next oblivion fell
upon her； and after it a dim memory of being helped up the hill with
the sun pouring on her back and assisted to climb the steep steps of
the wall by means of a rope placed around her。 Then forgetfulness
again。
The flap of her tent was drawn aside and she shrank back upon her bed；
shuttin