dden Begum came running back
screaming, and with every mark of terror, and clung, as usual, to the
Major when frightened.

"Where is the Bushboy?" said Bremen.

"Something has happened," cried Swinton; "come all of you with your
guns."

The whole party, Hottentots and all, hastened toward the rocks where
Omrah and Begum had been in search of water. As soon as they reached
within fifty paces, quite out of breath with their haste, they were
saluted with the quah, quah, of a herd of baboons, which were perched at
the edge of the rocks, and which threatened them in their usual way,
standing on their fore-legs, and making as if they would fly at them.

"Now, then, what is to be done?" said the Major. "Shall we fire? Do you
think that they have possession of the boy?"

"If they have, they will let him go. Yes, we are too numerous for them
now, and they will not show fight, depend upon it. Let us all take good
aim and fire a volley right into them."

"Well, then, I'll take that venerable old chap that appears to be the
leader, and the great-grandfather of them all," said the Major. "Are you
all ready?--then fire."

The volley had its effect; three or four of the animals were killed,
many were wounded, and the whole herd went scampering off with loud
shrieks and cries, the wounded trailing themselves after the others as
well as they could.

The whole party then ascended the crags to look after Omrah--all but
Begum, who would not venture. They had hardly gained the summit when
they heard Omrah's voice below, but could not see him. "There he is,
sir," said Swanevelt, "down below there." Swinton and the Major went
down again, and at last, guided by the shouts of the boy, they came to a
narrow cleft in the rock, about twenty feet deep, at the bottom of which
they heard, but could not see, the boy. The cleft was so narrow that
none of the men could squeeze down it. Swinton sent one of them back for
some leathern thongs or a piece of rope to let down to him.

During the delay, Bremen inquired of Omrah if he was hurt, and received
an answer in the negative. When the rope came, and was lowered down to
him, Omrah seized it, and was hauled up by the Hottentots. He appeared
to have suffered a little, as his hair was torn out in large handfuls,
and his shirt was in ribbons; but with the exception of some severe
scratches from the nails of the baboons, he had no serious injury. Omrah
explained to the Hottentots, who could talk hi