found a
beautiful spring near the summit, and had already quenched our thirst at
it. We did not need to go to the river, so far as that was concerned.

The only thing of which we really stood in need, was something to eat.
We had not a morsel of either biscuit or meat, and we had both become as
hungry as hawks. There was not the slightest prospect of a supper, and
we should have to go with empty stomachs until we could reach the
barque--perhaps not before noon of the following day.

We had grown so hungry that my companion now wished he had brought along
with him a piece of the lion's flesh, declaring he could have eaten a
collop of it well enough. We had still with us the skin, but that was
too tough for us, hungry as we were.

We sat down near the spring, and began to consider what preparations we
should make for passing the night. We thought it would be best to
gather a quantity of sticks and make a roaring fire--not that we were
afraid of the cold, for there was no such thing as cold. On the
contrary, although it was near sundown, the air was still quite hot and
sultry. Our object in talking about a fire was, in order to frighten
off any wild beasts that might approach our sleeping-place during the
night.

While we talked we grew hungrier, and at length our stomachs became so
craving that we could almost have eaten the grass! Fortune, however,
proved kind to us, and saved us from becoming grass-eaters. Just as we
were wondering what we could find to eat, we chanced to see a large bird
stepping out of some trees into the open ground. It did not see us, for
it was every moment coming nearer. It appeared to be browsing upon the
grass, as it moved along; and thus busy seeking its own food, took no
notice of anything else.

Ben had reloaded the "Queen Anne," after killing the lion. The ramrod
had been crooked badly, but we had managed to get it straight again, so
that it would serve; and in order to be prepared for anything, a fresh
load had been rammed into the barrel.

Seeing the great bird coming so near, we quietly lay down, so as to hide
our bodies in the grass--while Ben placed himself behind a small bush,
through which he protruded the long barrel of the musket.

It seemed as if Providence had sent the bird for our supper; for the
foolish creature walked straight on, until it was hardly a dozen yards
from the muzzle of the "Queen Anne." Just then Ben pulled the trigger;
and, notwithstanding th