ATTACKED IN FRONT AND REAR. 385 



the safety of this whole company in my hands, and it won't do to shut my eyes 

 again. No fear of it, for I never felt more wide-awake in my life." 



The natives looked like so many logs lying near the fire, their swarthy faces 

 glistening as though they were oiled ; but they were accustomed to heat and felt 

 no discomfort in a temperature which a white man would have found intolerable. 



The ponies were tethered just beyond them, the two having lain down, so that 

 they were also unconscious, though they were likely to be the first to awaken on 

 the approach of danger. 



PRONOHORN ANTKLOPE. 



" I don't believe I would run the least risk in leaning against the tree here," 

 reflected Dick, " but I will do as Mr. Godkin advised." 



The firelight showed a path some twenty paces in length made by the gentle- 

 man in walking back and forth, pausing, only at long intervals to fling wood on the 

 flames. 



" If this fire were burning on the bank of the Ganges, or some other stream, it 

 would bring thousands of fish close to the shore, and I am quite sure Mr. Godkin 

 was right in saying that wild animals are prowling near us." 



Hie scene was weird and impressive. 



