206 
Seven Years in Central Africa. [March, 
March i "jth. — A young man, who lived about a gunshot from my 
house, was carried off to-day by a lion while resting in the shade 
behind his hut. 
HUNGRY VISITORS. 
\Wi. — At six o'clock this evening, just in the twilight, a 
leopard, which seems to have followed my boys, seized and 
carried off my dog from the very centre of my yard. 
25M. — On going outside last night, about eleven o'clock, I 
encountered a large animal just in front of my door. He seemed 
to be waiting his opportunity to pounce upon someone, but I 
tumbled back indoors and disappointed him. A few nights 
later, while sitting under the verandah of my house, I saw 
another of these creatures coming straight for my cottage, 
evidently attracted by the goats. Stepping indoors, and picking 
up my gun, which stood loaded in a corner, I fired at him, 
and the ball passed through his heart. I found it was a full- 
grown hyena, of the man-eating sort. My boys and the 
neighbours had a dance round it the next day. At this time 
of the year the grass is so long that these animals are em- 
boldened to go around the villages and prey upon the people. 
DEATH OF JOHNNY. 
March 26 fh. — Last night my boy Johnny died. He had been 
ill for a long time with diarrhoea, brought on by eating green 
maize-corn. After a short prayer and a few words with the 
rest of the boys we buried him in the garden. Poor little lad, 
he was of an exceedingly sweet and tender disposition. Among 
the rest he was pre-eminently 7ny boy. My first acquaintance 
with him was in the Lunda country. Kasoma bought him 
there, unknown to me. During the long, tiring march before 
we reached the Lualaba river, this little lad completely broke 
down 3 and as all the men were heavily burdened, only two 
courses were open to us — either to leave him by the roadside, or 
allow him to ride my ox. Accordingly he was carried on ox-back 
for several days, until he recovered somewhat. When Kasoma 
left for Bihe I was not willing to part with Johnny, so he left him 
with me. Johnny was always an example to the other children, 
and now all feel very much the death of their little playmate, 
and I hope the event will be blessed to them. 
