off. Most
of the party had turned in; but Hendricks himself, with Percy, who had
offered to assist him, were keeping the first watch.

"How soon do you think we shall reach Falls Farm?" asked Percy.

"In five or six days, possibly, if we are fortunate enough to find
water," answered Hendricks; "but I fear that the cattle will become so
weak, they will scarcely be able to drag on the waggon. If we don't
discover any to-morrow, we must set off to search for it in different
directions. I propose letting Denis and you explore to the north-west,
while I ride ahead with Lionel, and Umgolo, with Crawford, if he choose
to accompany him, can go off more to the north-east. We shall thus, I
hope, fall in before long with what we so much require. The waggon can
in the meantime proceed onwards as fast as the poor oxen can drag it."

"We can't fail in that way, I hope, to find water," observed Percy. "So
I suppose that I may count on getting home in the time you speak of."

"Are you tired of the journey?" asked Hendricks.

"Oh, no, on the contrary," answered Percy. "But I think my father and
mother will be growing anxious at our not appearing so much longer after
the time they expected us; otherwise I should like to accompany you
through the whole of your expedition into the interior. I like the life
much better than I fancy I shall being planted down on a farm, and not
seeing any one for months together, except my family, though I am sure I
shall be very happy with them."

Just then one of the oxen bellowed loudly.

"Get a lantern from the waggon, Percy; we must see what is the matter,"
said Hendricks.

Percy quickly brought the lantern, and they advanced towards the spot;
but scarcely had they got half a dozen paces, when a rushing, trampling
sound as of many feet was heard, and three of the oxen dashed into the
camp, almost through the fire, others apparently taking an opposite
direction. At the same time stifled groans reached their ears.

"One of the oxen must be hurt," observed Percy.

"Yes, but those groans are not made by the poor beast. They are the
sounds produced by the lion as he devours his prey, and I must try to
interrupt him," said Hendricks.

As he spoke, he advanced a few paces farther. At that moment Percy
caught sight of an animal, certainly not an ox, springing by. Hendricks
fired, and the next instant every one in the camp had jumped up, asking
what was the matter.

"The matter is, tha