the settlers, that the kraal was
destroyed and that he was liberated."

The boy, on obtaining permission to accompany his new friends,
immediately took the lead, with his eyes fixed on the ground, at a pace
with which they found it somewhat difficult at times to keep up. The
trail, or as the Dutch call it, the spoor, when an animal is being
tracked, must have been remarkably clear to the eyes of the little
fellow; for he did not hesitate a moment, though the white men, with all
their experience as hunters, were unable to distinguish any of the marks
by which he was guided. Several animals were seen as they went along.
Now a buffalo would dash out of a thicket, and go rushing at a rapid
rate across their path. Now a herd of peewas were caught sight of,
making their way towards the stream to take their morning draught.
Presently a flock of Guinea fowl would rise from the tangled underwood,
and fly hither and thither, filling the air with their discordant notes.
Then suddenly a white rhinoceros would appear strolling along, until,
seeing the strangers, he would break into a gallop similar to that of a
well-bred horse; notwithstanding his heavy body, showing a splendid
action, with his head well up, and moving at a pace few horses could
rival. But these occurrences did not for a moment draw off the boy's
attention. The heat as the sun rose became excessive, beating down with
a force which only those accustomed to the wilds of Africa could have
borne without complaining.

After going a considerable distance the boy stopped and examined the
ground. What was the horror of Hendricks and Maloney to see the grass
stained with blood! It was too probably that of Denis.

"The poor boy must have been struck down by a lion, and has been carried
off into the thicket," exclaimed his father.

"I am not so sure of that," answered Hendricks. "What is it,
Unozingli?"

"The white boy shot a pallah, which galloped off away out there, and he
followed," answered the little fellow, pointing to the north. "We shall
find him before long. He thought to get another shot, but he had little
chance of that."

Scarcely had he spoken when a roar was heard coming from the direction
towards which he pointed. He looked anxious; it was the voice,
undoubtedly, of a lion.

"Come on!" he said; "but be ready to fire."

Presently another roar was heard, but this time there were the voices of
two lions--the sound, however, came from a conside