CHAPTER XV 



ANOTHER GAP IN OUR RANKS 



Give thy thoughts no tongue 



Hamlet 



Ay, but to die, and go we know not where 



Measure for Measure 



The poor pony which the leopard had pounced upon 

 was now in grievous plight, hardly able to drag itself 

 along, and the condition of his wounds, though we 

 had done all we could, can better be imagined than 

 described. I judged it kindest to read the death 

 warrant, and the unfortunate creature was led away 

 from camp, going very painfully, to be shot. His 

 knell rang out as we were dressing, and rather spoilt 

 our breakfast. We had grown by this time to be 

 quite fond of all the ponies ; even " Sceptre " counted 

 as a friend of standing. 



Leaving Joh about 8.30, we passed the spot where 

 the men had buried our steed, not deeply, I fear, and 

 as the caravan came up a great horde of yellowish 

 animals ceased their depredations and made off. 

 Cecily, who was walking, dropped one, I am glad to 

 say, and the others loped away at break-neck speed. 

 It was a fine vicious-looking animal, the sort of creature 

 you would not care to meet if it happened to be hungry, 

 and we afterwards knew it to be a Cape hunting-dog. 



