

A NARROW ESCAPE. 37 



thickly scattered brush taking the place of the 

 former veldt, when, phew ! there was the deuce to 

 pay among the natives. In a moment they had 

 scattered like chaff before the wind ; and I had 

 time to notice all that transpired, for my horse 

 had stopped as dead as if he had been shot. The 

 wounded animal, from exhaustion and pain, had 

 been unable to keep up with his comrades, so had 

 laid down behind a bush, from where he had either 

 got wind of, or heard his pursuers advance, and, 

 determined not to give in, or die a death unworthy 

 of his race (for these animals will always fight to 

 the last), sprang to his feet, and, open-mouthed, made 

 for the nearest of the darkies, who was so taken by 

 surprise, that, forgetting he had a weapon in his 

 hand, he sprang on one side, without attempting 

 to use it an example promptly followed by all his 

 companions. For a time the assailants became the 

 assailed, and utterly demoralized by the suddenness 

 of the attack ; but it was easy to see on whose side 

 victory would terminate, for loss of blood had sadly 

 weakened the brave beast, and one of its hind legs 

 hung utterly useless, as if attached to his body by 

 only the skin. Yes, my fellows were taken by 

 surprise ; and their leader only escaped by a few 

 feet being made acquainted with the petsi's jaws a 

 bite that possibly would have cost him a limb, and 

 most certainly expatriation from his tribe : serious 

 consequences, no one will deny ; but, in spite of 



