IN WANT OF A EIOT ACT. 377 



at all hazards. Again I got hold of a branch to break 

 off, and again I was stung on the fleshy side of the 

 hand. This treatment did not improve my temper, as 

 may be imagined. Having revived the fires to my 

 satisfaction, I sat down, and considered what I wajs to 

 do if my people had really run away. A movement 

 among the bushes on the ridge, and a strong effort of 

 Euby to break her halter, caused me to look round. 

 Nothing was visible, yet I felt convinced some wild 

 animal was near. So to make things doubly secure, I 

 went into the wagon, and got both lanterns, and hung 

 them over the mare's head, and then resumed my previous 

 occupation. 



In the distance I heard the soughing, or deep breath- 

 ing of a lion, but consoled myself with the thought that 

 the beast was retiring, or would not make that noise. I 

 listened for the sound to be repeated, but instead of 

 hearing it again, faint lullalooing, as if of Kaffirs enjoy- 

 ing themselves, fell on my ear. Again and again I heard 

 it distinctly, and further imagined that I could see the 

 reflection of a large fire in the distance. This accounted 

 for the servants having left doubtless they were attend- 

 ing some convivialities ; but where came their hosts 

 from? I had not seen evidence of the presence of a 

 native the whole day. However, lions or no lions, I was 

 determined summarily to put a stop to their establishing 

 so reprehensible a precedent as this of walking off in the 

 middle of the night, and leaving the encampment and my 

 belongings to take care of themselves. 



So I took my double gun, and marched off to seek 

 the revellers. The task was not nearly so easy as an- 

 ticipated several small ravines and a dry crack had to 

 be passed ; brush and fallen trees impeding my progress. 



