ried a light, sporting .303, its magazine loaded with Dum-dum
cartridges. She knew how to use it, too, and hand and nerve were steady
as rock. She was arrayed in just the costume for an expedition of the
kind, a plain blouse and short bicycle skirt, and looked exceedingly
ready and sportsmanlike; and after some couple of hours' walk over
anything but easy ground, her step was as elastic as though she had just
sallied forth.

Night had fallen, and though a glorious moon was sailing in the clear
sky, so thick were the tall tree-tops that, meeting overhead, they
plunged the pathway into gloom, networked here and there by the
penetrating moonbeams. But here was none of the stillness of night.
Large owls hooted loud and spectrally, and the nursery-like squall of
the "bush-baby"--a species of lemur--was thrown forth, and echoed and
answered from near and far. Now and then a sudden scuffle and rumbling
retreat told that a buck had been disturbed and was making himself
hurriedly scarce; or, not so harmless, perchance, a stealthy rustle in
the grass would bring the party to a standstill.

"That's the worst of this walking in the dark," said Ben Halse. "You
never know when some infernal black mamba may jump up and hit you bang
in the face. Then--good-night! Or you may tread on his tail while he's
getting out of the way. Which amounts to the same thing."

There was always the risk of this, of course, but risks have to be
taken. Verna, for her part, was keenly enjoying this clandestine
night-poaching expedition. There was that about it which appealed
powerfully to her, and every fibre of her strong, healthy being thrilled
with the sheer joy of life. Then, suddenly, the moonlight burst in
through the trees in front. They had come to the edge of an open space.

Undhlawafa whispered caution. Then he ordered his followers to remain
where they were--if anything to retire a little way back. He did not
want to set up any more scent than was necessary. Then, cautiously,
they advanced to the edge and peered forth.

In front lay an open space. It was swampy ground, caused by the trickle
of a small stream which here expanded into reed-fringed pools. These
were barely a hundred yards from where the stalkers lay concealed. At
present there was no sign of life in the clearing, unless it were the
occasional croak of a frog. Then something moved, and a small shape
came stealing across the open to the water. It lapped a litt