d and lie down at a respectful distance,
but never presume to go near the animal which the old lion has killed.
As soon as the old lion considers himself sufficiently rested, he goes
up to the prey and commences at the breast and stomach, and after eating
a considerable portion he will take a second rest, none of the others
presuming to move.

"Having made a second repast, he then retires; the other lions watch his
motions, and all rush to the remainder of the carcass, which is soon
devoured. I said that I witnessed an instance myself in corroboration of
this statement, which I will now mention. I was sitting on a rock after
collecting some plants, when below me I saw a young lion seize an
antelope; he had his paw upon the dead animal, when the old lion came
up,--upon which the young one immediately retired till his superior had
dined first, and then came in for the remainder. Mercy on us! what is
that?"

"I thought it was the lion again," said Alexander, "but it is thunder;
we are about to have a storm."

"Yes, and a fierce one too," said the Major; "I am afraid that we must
break up our party and retire under cover. We have some large drops of
rain already."

A flash of lightning now dazzled them, and was followed by another, and
an instantaneous peal of thunder.

"There is no mistake in this," said Swinton; "and I can tell you that we
shall have it upon us in less than a minute, so I am for my wagon."

"At all events it will wash these Hottentots sober," observed the Major,
as they all walked away to their separate wagons for shelter.

CHAPTER XIV.

They had scarcely gained the wagons before the thunder and lightning
became incessant, and so loud as to be deafening. It appeared as if they
were in the very center of the contending elements, and the wind rose
and blew with terrific force, while the rain poured down as if the
flood-gates of heaven were indeed opened. The lightning was so vivid,
that for the second that it lasted you could see the country round to
the horizon almost as clear as day; the next moment all was terrific
gloom accompanied by the stunning reports of the thunder, which caused
every article in the wagons, and the wagons themselves, to vibrate from
the concussion. A large tree, not fifty yards from the caravan, was
struck by the lightning, and came down with an appalling crash. The
Caffres had all roused up, and had sheltered themselves under the
wagons.

The Hottentots had als