NEGEESS CAEEIED OFF BY A LION. 
183 
zariba, and one soldier and a secretary were to remain to guard it. 
This was to be forwarded to Gondokoro when the boats came up 
with the north wind. These alterations occupying a considerable 
time, our tent was again fixed, as the sun was then setting, and an 
early start is to be made to-morrow. 
Dr. Murie, Signor Carlo, and Foxcroft were with us, our per- 
sonal servants, and about six soldiers. A rapid firing was heard in 
the distance; it proved of short duration, however, but an alarm 
was felt that an accident of some sort, or attack, had taken place. 
Poncet^s agent, with a face of concern, came from the zariba, and 
whispered to Petherick. My husband returned to my side, saying. 
Be prepared : it is believed that the negroes are rising.^'’ He 
looked to his weapons, put fresh caps on my tiny revolver, and, 
grasping my hand, told me to stand where I then was, whilst he 
went to place in good position our little band of followers. It was 
fast growing dark, and we saw not the approach of the negroes and 
soldiers until they were around us. Then the cause of the alarm 
was revealed : a lion sprang from a thicket which was traversed, 
and seized a negress from the midst of her companions, bearing 
her off. The soldiers fired in the air, hoping to frighten the beast, 
but they did not see the lion till the negress had vanished. Her 
friends lamented loudly, and would not proceed in the darkness, 
so they returned to the zariba. 
August l^th . — A bright morning ; made a good start at noon, 
Deradau leading, a soldier, bearing the Union Jack on a lance, fol- 
lowing; then Petherick on Arab,^^ I on Luxor,^^ then a secretary 
with a gun, followed by Binga, who also was armed, and carrying 
in addition, suspended to his neck, the Chinese gong which is to be 
sounded when the loads are to be put down or taken up ; a boy — a 
