We now slackened our speed a little, hoping to meet with some broad river which might prove a barrier to the flames, should another change of wind drive them towards us, as there was nothing, so far as we could see, to stop the fire from quickly overtaking us.  Our horses, too, were already suffering from want of water, and so were we.  We therefore eagerly looked out for a pool or stream at which we might slake our thirst.  At length, greatly to our joy, as evening was approaching, we caught sight in the far distance of a silvery line of water glittering in the rays of the western sun.  It was a river running from the north-west to the south-east, and as we approached we saw that it was of considerable width.  Should it not prove fordable, we resolved to swim across.