AN A I I AC K IN THE REAR. 51 



Greatly to the relief of all, Mr. Godkin said that, though Orak had been badly 

 hurt, he was likely to recover. No bones were broken, though his shoulder was 

 shockingly mangled and lie was weak from the loss of blood. 



From the stores of the expedition were brought bandages and an excellent medi- 

 cated wash, which were applied by Mr. Godkin with a skill acquired by practice in 

 India and other parts of the world. Then a gentle stimulant was administered to 

 the sufferer, who was assured that if he remained quiet and kept a brave heart, he 

 would soon be himself again. 



Having done all that was possible for him, Mr. Godkin descended from the 

 wagon and approached the still form around which the rest were collected, silent 

 and awed by the sudden death. 



"All that we cau do is to give him decent burial," he remarked, looking down 

 on the body, "and we may as well do it without delay." 



A couple of the natives were set to work, the soft soil requiring the use only of the 

 shovel, though among the supplies were several picks that could have been employed 

 if required. 



The grave was made deep, to protect the remains from being dug up by hyenas 

 and other wild beasts, and into this cavity the remains of poor Divak were tenderly 

 lowered, there to remain until summoned forth by the last great trump which 

 shall call us all to judgment. 



The terrifying incidents of the evening drove off all disposition to sleep on the 

 part of our friends. In the discussion that followed, Dick Brownell was obliged to 

 make known the fact that Pongo and Dieanck had so far forgotten themselves as 

 to fall asleep when it was their duty to keep awake, but the generous youth insisted 

 that the censure should be visited upon him, since he ought to have awakened them. 



Jack Harvey, Bob Marshall and Mr. Godkin assured him, however, that no bl ame 

 could attach to him, since he had acquitted himself manfully, and he had done much 

 to save Orak from the frightful death that at one time seemed certain to overtake 

 him. 



Several times during the remaining hours of darkness, the roar of lions was 

 neard, and you need not be told that a keen lookout was kept for another visit from 

 trie dreaded beasts; but the sounds in every case were distant, and the animals, if 

 they ventured nearer, did not disturb any of our friends or their property. 



A probability naturally suggested itself to the hunters : since the male and female 

 lion were slain, and since an examination of the latter showed that she had been 

 nursing young, a chance to obtain one or two specimens was at the command of the 

 hunters. The attempt was to be made at daylight. 



Pongo had displayed a remarkable aptitude in tracing the dens and lairs of wild 

 beasts, his long experience as a hunter having given him a skill not possessed by 

 the rest. A few trained hounds would have been of great assistance, but since they 

 were liable to be devoured by some of the game they set out to find, none had been 

 brought with the party. 



At the earliest streakings of light, the Bushman, without waiting for his morning 



