ii4 DAYS AND NIGHTS BY THE DESERT. 



About this time affairs went on most har- 

 moniously ; game was plentiful, and, therefore, meat 

 abundant, so that frequently hunting was not under- 

 taken. Excessive and good living, as it invariably 

 does in these parts of the earth, made my followers 

 indolent, careless, and saucy, so I determined to treck 

 nearer to the fly country. I had called up William 

 to discuss the proposed move, and had commenced 

 giving him his instructions, when there took place a 

 fearful row on the off-side of my waggon, dogs 

 barking, one of the lions yelling, and Jumbo chatter 

 ing as if possessed of a fit of ague ; and no wonder 

 The baboon had leaned down from the back of the 

 waggon and had Juno's tail in his grasp, holding on 

 like grim death, and adding further to the torture h< 

 was inflicting by biting its termination whenever th( 

 victim made a fresh struggle I fully expected t< 

 see all the dogs turn on the lady, and doubtless 

 such was their intention, but my voice quelled th< 

 prospect of riot. Still, the ape did not release the 

 captive. William flew for the whip, but Jumbo, per 

 ceiving what was coming, for he had before become 

 acquainted with its persuasiveness, let go his hold 

 and took shelter in the thick top of an adjoining 

 tree, from which sanctuary he did not venture, anc 

 then with very great diffidence, until supper was 

 served. The scoundrel knew he had done wron 

 as well as any child would ; still, the demon o 

 practical joking was so thoroughly instilled in him' 



