171 CHAPTER 20
The eastern Transvaal, South Africa, 1902Blake rode hard for another hour, keeping to the open veld and away from the road, where he knew there would be checkpoints, blockhouses and roving patrols. Claire had hugged his back as they rode and he imagined she was cold. She was wearing a simple linen dress and, from what he could tell, little else in the way of petticoats.
He used the stars to guide him and, because he had no better idea, headed southeast. He figured that soon enough they would reach the east–west railway line that led to Komatipoort and that was where Claire had said she wanted to go. It was as good a place as any to aim for. The town was on the border of the Transvaal and Portuguese East Africa, and home to another outpost of Steinaecker’s Horse. Even thoug
