ud roar was
followed up by the shriek of the other horse, announcing that he had
become a victim to the savage animal. They both started, and dropping
the reins of their horses, hastened with their rifles to the help of
Omrah, of whose absence they now for the first time were aware; but they
were met half-way by the boy, who contrived to say with difficulty,
"Lion want horse, not little Bushman." They waited a few seconds, but
the cries of the poor animal, and the crushing and cracking of its
bones, were too painful to hear; and they hastened on and rejoined the
other horses, which appeared paralyzed with fear, and had remained
stationary.

They again led their horses on for an hour, when they arrived at a small
pile of rocks; there they again lay down, for they were quite exhausted
and careless of life. Not even the roar of a lion would have aroused
them now, or if it had roused them they would have waited for the
animal to come and put an end to their misery. But another and a softer
noise attracted the quick ear of Omrah, and he pushed Alexander, and put
his finger up to induce him to listen.

Having listened a little longer, Omrah made signs to Alexander and the
Major to follow him. The noise which Omrah had heard was the croaking of
a frog, which denoted water at hand, and the sniffing of the horses
confirmed him in his supposition. Omrah led the way through the rocks,
descending lower and lower; and ever and anon listening to the noise of
the animal, till he perceived the stars of heaven above reflected in a
small pool, which he pointed out to Alexander and the Major. Down they
dropped to earth and drank, and as soon as their thirst was satisfied
they rose, and pushed Omrah forward to make him drink also; and as the
boy who had saved their lives was drinking, they kneeled down and
prayed--not loud, for they had not yet recovered their speech; but if
ever grateful prayers were offered up to the Almighty throne, they were
by our two travelers, as they kneeled by the side of this small pool.
They rose and hastened to their horses, and led them down to the water,
when the poor animals filled themselves almost to bursting, walked away,
and returned to drink more. They also repeated their draught several
times, and then lay down, and would have fallen asleep by the side of
the pool had not Omrah, who could now speak freely, said, "No, no; lion
come here for water; up the rock again and sleep there--I bring horses."
Th