d him, and gave him to understand by signs and such few English
words as he could speak, that he would run a great risk of being
attacked himself, and would to a certainty not recover the animal that
night.

"If he escapes the lions, he may come back, or we may find him in the
morning," said the Kaffir.

Crawford, acknowledging the wisdom of this advice, remained in the camp,
looking out occasionally, however, in the hopes of seeing the horse
return. After some minutes Umgolo touched him on the arm.

"Hark! do you hear that sound?" he asked.

Some suppressed growls reached their ears.

"The horse is dead, and the lions are gnawing his bones. They are
growling at the hyenas and jackals who have gathered round to join in
the feast, but the lions won't let them until they have eaten their
fill."

Presently to the growls of the lions was added the howling, shrieking,
chattering, and barking of the hyenas, mingled with the cries of the
jackals, producing a most unearthly chorus.

"Come, let us try and kill the brutes," said Denis, and he and Crawford
walked out a few yards from the camp; but, although they fired several
shots, no effect was produced; and Umgolo calling to them to come back,
lest a lion should pounce upon them, they returned to the camp. The
sound of the shots had awakened Hendricks, which the howlings of the
wild beasts had failed to do. He rated Denis and Crawford for their
folly in leaving the camp.

"In spite of your firearms, you might have been seized in the darkness
by one of those savage brutes, who would not dare to face you in
daylight," he observed. "Never, if you can help it in these wilds, be
away at night from the light of a fire."

It was found in the morning that Crawford's horse was missing. On
searching round the camp, two leg bones and a few pieces of skin were
discovered, the sole remains of the unfortunate animal, the rest had
been carried off by beasts of prey. As soon as the oxen had been
watered and had had time to pick up some grass, the party inspanned and
proceeded on their journey.

Fortunately Hendricks had a couple of spare horses, one of which he lent
Crawford, who would otherwise have had to march on foot, or have been
indebted to his friends, who would undoubtedly have insisted on his
getting into their saddles while they walked. For three days they
travelled on as fast as the oxen could move. Hendricks, being as
anxious to get as far as possible from Cet