n guarding the waggon, he advised
them immediately to return home.

They, without demur, took their departure, well satisfied with the
presents they had received, and the oxen were urged on at as rapid a
rate as they could be got to move. The ground was fortunately level, so
that good progress was made, and several miles were got over before
sunset.

They camped in a hollow, the ground round which was covered with trees,
so that the light of their fire could not be seen to any distance.

The chirrup of the cricket on the hearth is not more familiar to the
inhabitants of an old country house in England, than is the roar of the
lion to the ears of the traveller in Africa. Our friends had become so
accustomed to the low mutterings, as well as to the loud roars of the
king of beasts, that, provided the sounds came from a distance, they
scarcely interrupted their slumbers. Occasionally, however, when a
brute more savage and hungry than usual, ventured up to the camp,
evidently on a foraging expedition, it was not only difficult but
impossible for any one to sleep; indeed, common prudence required that
all should be on the watch, with their weapons ready to defend
themselves or the cattle, should they be attacked.

As there was still nearly an hour of daylight to spare, Hendricks, with
Lionel and Denis, who were always ready to start on a hunting
expedition, went off in search of game, accompanied by the dogs, who,
although they have not often been mentioned, had always faithfully done
their duty in giving due notice of the approach of strangers or any
animals.

They had not got far from the camp when Hendricks shot an antelope, and
to save the necessity of returning at once, it was hoisted up on to the
branch of a tree to prevent its being eaten by the jackals and hyenas
which would quickly have found it out. They went on for some distance
farther, when Lionel, looking ahead, exclaimed--

"See, see! the grass is moving; there is some beast within." And
scarcely had he spoken, than out sprang a lion, which, however, instead
of coming towards them, made its way in the direction of the camp.

"It's as well we secured our game, or the brute would have had it,"
observed Denis, as they followed the lion. "I only hope our friends in
camp will be on the look-out, or that brute will be among them and do
some mischief."

As soon as the lion had turned tail, the three dogs set off in pursuit,
Hendricks and his companion