icking off the furious creatures from his person.

"It would be curious to observe the effect of an army of soldiers
stepping into an army of Bashikouays," said Jack. "They would be routed
instantly. No discipline or courage could hold them together for two
minutes after they were attacked."

I was about to make some reply, when our attention was attracted by a
shout at no great distance, and in a few seconds we observed, to our
confusion, the trader and a band of negroes approaching us. We hurried
on our clothes as rapidly as possible, and were a little more
presentable when they arrived. They had a good laugh at us, of course,
and the naked blacks seemed to be much tickled with the idea that we had
been compelled to divest ourselves, even for a short time, of what they
considered our unnecessary covering.

"We thought you were lost," said the trader, "and I began to blame
myself for letting you away into the woods, where so many dangers may be
encountered, without a guide. But what have you got there? meat of some
kind? Your guns seem to have done service on this your first
expedition."

"Ay, that they have," answered Jack. "We've killed a buffalo bull, and
if you send your black fellows back on our track for some hours they'll
come to the carcass, of which we could not, of course, bring very much
away on our shoulders, which are not accustomed yet to heavy loads."

"Besides," added Peterkin, "we were anxious to get back in time for your
elephant-hunt, else we should have brought more meat with us. But Jack
has not mentioned what I consider our chief prize, the honour of
shooting which belongs to my friend Ralph Rover.--Come, Ralph, unfasten
your pack and let them see it."

Although unwilling to put off more time, I threw down my pack, and
untying it, displayed my leopard skin. The shout of delight and
surprise which the sight of it drew from the negroes was so enthusiastic
that I at once perceived I was considered to have secured a great prize.

"Why, Mr Rover, you're in luck," said the trader, examining the skin;
"it's not every day that one falls in with such a fine leopard as that.
And you have already made a reputation as a daring hunter, for the
niggers consider it a bold and dangerous thing to attack these critters;
they're so uncommon fierce."

"Indeed I do not by any means deserve such a reputation," said I,
refastening my pack, "for the shot was entirely accidental; so I pray
you, good sir,