VI A MAGNIFICENT SERENADE 95 



was dark and gloomy to a degree. However, but 

 little light is needed to enable a thirsty man to drink. 

 After well satisfying ourselves and filling the cala- 

 bashes, we commenced climbing the hill to look for 

 a place where we might pass the night, and finding a 

 tolerably flat ledge about half-way up, I resolved to 

 go no farther. We were too tired to think of 

 making a skerm; so, lighting a fire, I lay down on 

 the bare ground, without a blanket, placing my felt 

 hat on the top of a stone for a pillow, the Kafirs dis- 

 posing themselves round two or three other fires ; 

 and although I reflected that there were many other 

 things in this world more acceptable for supper after 

 a hard day's work than cold water, yet in spite of 

 hunger, fitigue, and a bed on the cold ground, I felt 

 elated and joyful at the thought of the successful 

 issue of the day's sport. After a time the extreme 

 feeling of hunger passed off, and I slept pretty well, 

 though awakened at intervals by the cold. At about 

 midnight two or three lions came to the little pool 

 below us to drink, and made the narrow ravine 

 resound again with their grand deep voices. At any 

 other time I should have lain and listened with 

 pleasure to this magnificent serenade; but just now, 

 being very tired and wanting to sleep, I was glad 

 when they took their departure, which was doubtless 

 hastened by a few big stones which I directed the 

 Kafirs to roll down the hill towards them, when I 

 once more fell asleep, only to be awakened by the 

 cold which always precedes early dawn. 



As soon as it was light enough we refilled the 

 calabashes, and started for the dead elephants, as we 

 had a hard day's work before us if we were to chop 

 out the tusks and get back to the skerm that evening. 

 Not having now to follow the bends of the river, we 



