causing it, though there could be no doubt it proceeded from some kind
of animals.

At first we thought it was wolves, or rather hyenas and jackals--since
these are the wolves of Africa--and some of the sounds resembled the
voices of these creatures, with which we were already acquainted, from
hearing them every night around the barracoons of King Dingo, and along
the banks of the river. But there were other sounds of a different
kind--shrill screams, and calls like the mewing of cats, and now and
them a chattering and gibbering that bore a resemblance to the voices of
human beings, or, more correctly, to the ravings of maniacs!

Evidently there were many creatures making these noises; but what sort
of beings they were, neither my companion nor I could form any
conjecture. The sounds were harsh and disagreeable--every tone of them
calculated to produce terror in those who might listen to them,--and
they terrified us as soon as we were awake to hear them.

Both of us sprang instantly up, and looked around in affright, expecting
every moment to be attacked; but although we could hear the noises on
every side, we were as yet unable to see who or what was making them.
Our fire glimmered faintly, and enabled us to see only to a very short
distance around us; but in order to get a better view, Ben mechanically
kicked up the half-burnt sticks; and then a bright blaze was produced,
which lit up the whole space shadowed by the branches of the baobab.

As yet we could see nothing--for the noises proceeded out of the thick
darkness beyond; but we could perceive that they came from all sides--
from behind as well as before us. Whatever creatures they were that
were uttering these horrid sounds were not all in one place; they were
everywhere around the great tree; we were in fact surrounded by a large
host of them--completely encompassed.

The sounds now appeared to grow louder and nearer; and as we stood
gazing out into the darkness, we began to perceive certain bright spots,
that scintillated and sparkled like jets of moving fire. These spots
were round and a greenish lustre; and as we looked upon them we were
soon able to tell what they were--they were eyes!

Yes, they were the eyes of some animals, though of what sort we could
not guess. That they were fierce creatures, perhaps beasts of prey, we
had every reason to believe. Their wild cries, and the manner of their
approach proved this; for they were approaching--e