t the--I do
believe it's another giraffe!"

"So it is! Keep still. His ears are sharp," muttered Jack, examining
the lock of his rifle.

"Come, come!" said I; "no shooting, Jack. You know we came to see, not
to shoot."

"Very true; but it's not every day one gets such a close shot at a
giraffe. I _must_ procure a specimen for you, Ralph."

Jack smiled as he said this, and raised his rifle. Peterkin at the same
moment quietly raised his, saying, "If that's your game, my boy, then
here goes at the rhinoceros. Don't hurry your aim; we've lots of time."

As I waited for the reports with breathless attention, I was much struck
at that moment by the singularity of the circumstances in which we were
placed. On our left stood the rhinoceros, not fifteen yards off; on our
right the giraffe raised his long neck above the bushes, about twenty
yards distant, apparently uncertain whether it was safe to advance to
the water; while in front lay the lake, reflecting the soft, clear
moonlight, and beyond that the phalanx of elephants, enjoying themselves
vastly. I had but two moments to take it all in at a glance, for Jack
said "Now!" in a low tone, and instantly the loud report of the two
rifles thundered out upon the night air.

Words cannot convey, and the reader certainly cannot conceive, any idea
of the trumpeting, roaring, crashing, shrieking, and general hubbub that
succeeded to the noise of our firearms. It seemed as if the wild beasts
of twenty menageries had simultaneously commenced to smash the woodwork
of their cages, and to dash out upon each other in mingled fury and
terror; for not only was the crashing of boughs and bushes and smaller
trees quite terrific, but the thunderous tread of the large animals was
absolutely awful.

We were thoroughly scared, for, in addition to all this, from the midst
of the horrid turmoil there came forth a royal roar close behind us that
told of a lion having been secretly engaged in watching our proceedings;
and we shuddered to think that, but for our firing, he might have sprung
upon us as we lay there, little dreaming of his presence.

Since our last adventure with the king of beasts, Makarooroo had
entertained us with many anecdotes of the daring of lions, especially of
those monsters that are termed man-eaters; so that when we heard the
roar above referred to, we all three sprang to our feet and faced about
with the utmost alacrity. So intent were we on looking out for