along at a great rate, and going almost
in the direction they were pursuing.

"Perhaps that animal is making its way towards water," observed Percy.

"I fear not," answered Denis. "If so, it would not be alone. It has
been separated from the herd; and see, there are some creatures chasing
it. They are wild dogs; you can just distinguish their heads moving
along the grass in single file; the leader is close at the heels of the
poor wildebeest."

As the dogs came nearer, a whole line amounting to several score could
be seen, following exactly one behind the other. Presently the leader
took a leap, and alighted on the haunches of the affrighted gnu.
Another and another followed, until, borne down by numbers, the gnu was
dragged to the ground.

By this time Denis and Percy were near enough to fire with effect.
Denis knocked over one of the dogs, and the rest, frightened by the
report, turned tail and scampered off. The lads rushed forward, eager
to obtain some of the flesh of the gnu. The animal was already dead, so
they were saved the trouble of shooting it. They at once cut off some
slices, while the two dogs, who had refused to remain with Gozo, ate a
hearty meal.

"We must take some of this back to the poor fellow we left under the
tree," said Denis.

Percy agreed; and much revived themselves, they set off by the way they
had come. They hurried on, hoping to find Gozo still alive. As they
approached they shouted out to give him notice that they were coming.
The dogs on this ran forward; but as they got near to the spot, stopped
and gazed towards it, and then came back.

"What can have happened?" asked Percy. "Surely Gozo cannot have died
during the short time we have been absent, yet otherwise the dogs would
have remained."

They hurried on to find Gozo lying at full length where they had left
him. His eyes were open, but staring meaninglessly. Denis called him
by name. He made no reply. He lifted his hand, it felt cold and
clammy, and fell as he let it go; his heart had ceased to beat.
Notwithstanding this, he pressed some of the juice from the flesh they
had brought, into his mouth. They lifted up his head, they rubbed his
feet, but all in vain. They saw with sorrow that they had been too late
to save him. To remain longer would be useless, and already the journey
back had occupied some time.

"We must hurry on to save our own lives," said Denis; "if we don't find
water in an hour or two,