CHAP. X.] A TALE LEARNT FROM TRACKS. 299 



in his path ; by the side of it was an ugly sharp stump, 

 the solid reUc of a thorn-tree that had been broken 

 down. In the slippery place the giraffe's feet had 

 slid, and the animal had fallen ; on the stump was 

 blood and Hon's hair ; beyond, on one side of it, were 

 the tracks of the lame marauder, as he limped slowly 

 away ; on the other side, those of the giraffe at full 

 gallop. It was therefore evident that the lion had 

 sprung on the back of the giraffe, and was carried by 

 him till he slipped and fell. The fall dislodged the 

 lion, who was flmig upon the stump, and was injured 

 too severely to be able to continue the attack. The 

 gu-affe seemed not to have been much hurt, as his 

 gallop was a steady one, and there was no blood on 

 his tracks. 



The October rains can never be depended on ; they 

 seldom supply the country with more than one day's 

 water ; they are very partial, and mere showers. 

 These rains do more harm than good to a traveller, 

 for, without materially increasing liis supplies of water, 

 they cause the dry grass, which overspreads the 

 ground, to rot, and no food can in many places be 

 obtained for the oxen. The true rainy season does 

 not begin till the end of December ; and even then it 

 requires many falls before the arid country is so 

 drenched by rain as to allow the water to lie upon its 

 surface. 



As we travelled on, reports reached us of a shocldng 

 and fatal accident which had happened to a trader, 

 who had, while lifting up his gun, caused it to go 

 off, and had shot himself through the arm and side. 



