ON THE WATCH AGAINST WILD BEASTS. 393 



eyes. I felt for him sincerely sympathised with him. 

 He informed me that there was a perfect troop of lions 

 about this water, that they were round his cattle all 

 night, and he and the boys had in consequence been kept 

 the whole time in attendance on the fires to prevent their 

 attacking his team. 



Not liking such news I determined to treck at once, 

 and get a few miles farther on my route before night 

 closed in. 



My attendants evinced every reluctance to such a 

 step, but I insisted, and had my way. We had scarcely 

 travelled a mile when poor little Forty on his broken 

 stumps overtook us. The Kaffir had not obeyed my 

 instructions, so the wretched sufferer, strong in affection 

 for his master, enduring the most excruciating agony, 

 had followed along the tedious, sandy road. The injuries 

 were such that it appeared impossible that anything 

 living could accomplish such a task, so I resolved to try 

 to save her life. I placed her in the wagon, and tied 

 her there, she submitting to the operation with a very 

 bad grace. 



An hour after sundown we were outspanned upon an 

 open velt, with plenty of firewood stored for the night's 

 consumption, and the guns ready for immediate service. 

 William the Kaffir was a plucky fellow and a good 

 shot, so I trusted him with one of the double barrels, 

 and he and I took watch, turn about during the 

 night. 



When water becomes scarce in these thirsty plains, 

 the whole of the wild animals that inhabit them con- 

 gregate around any pool that may be left, for with very 

 few exceptions all have to drink once in twenty-four 

 hours. The lions, which follow the game, thus are led 



