nter's life. You'll
just take advantage of the kind offer of our friend here, and go back
with him to Maritzburg."

Poor Denis looked very crestfallen, but said nothing, for he did not
feel just then well able to enter into a controversy with any one.
Indeed, he was growing weaker and weaker, and it seemed more than
probable that he would be unable to get back to the camp unless he was
carried. Little Lionel had picked up his gun, and was staggering ahead
with it over his shoulders. He kept his eyes looking about him as if on
the watch for something or other. Presently he cried out in Zulu, "Be
on your guard, white chief. See, see! there they come!" and Hendricks
caught sight of the lion, followed at a distance by the cubs, stealing
down the hill towards the spot where the lioness had been shot. He kept
his eye on the animal, to watch its movements. Both he and Maloney had
loaded with ball, and they now halted until the lion came within range
of their weapons.

The brute moved slowly on, and then suddenly sitting up on its haunches,
surveyed them at a distance.

"The lion has no stomach for a fight. We may go on," said Hendricks.
They walked on supporting Denis, while the boy kept close to their side
until they had passed the body of the lioness, the lion all the time
retaining its position, conscious probably that its duties were to
protect its cubs. They went on and on until they got out of sight of
the lion, which, when they last saw it, had not moved from its post.
Very frequently, however, Hendricks looked back to ascertain whether the
animal was following them. "After all, they are cowardly brutes," he
observed. "They will seldom attack a man when they see he is prepared
for them, unless hard pressed by hunger. I have never found them
otherwise."

A rhinoceros, a panther, and several deer were seen, but they had no
further interruptions to their progress, and at length the camp was
reached. They found breakfast ready for them. From the appearance of
Denis, who scarcely ate a morsel, it was more than ever evident that he
would be unable to accompany his father. It was doubtful indeed whether
he would be able to start with Hendricks the following morning, unless
room could be found for him in the waggon. In the meantime a bed was
made up for him in the shade beneath it, consisting of a blanket and
kaross, the latter being a robe composed of jackal skins sewn together.
Hendricks, although anxious