RHUMB A. 199 



very hot weather, and the camp cots of 

 our visitors were ranged along the open 

 veranda at the back of the house on the 

 ground floor, a few steps descended 

 from this veranda into the open air, so 

 that it was perfectly accessible from 

 outside. 



I was restless that night, and soon 

 after midnight got up and walked about 

 the veranda above where my guests 

 were sleeping. As I looked out into 

 the moonlight I presently perceived two 

 bears moving among the bushes and 

 slowly approaching the house, foraging 

 in the dry grass as they came for white 

 ants and beetles. My gun was at hand ; 

 should I use it, or try and rouse the 

 sleepers noiselessly for a shot ? but I 

 despaired of doing this without scaring 



