imly saw the outstretched head and body,
as I supposed, of a monstrous lion about to spring, when, the fire
having flashed up more brightly, I uttered a gasp of relief. It was
Sandho, who had come quietly up to the fire for company and protection.

I worked the harder then, and kept on hour after hour, having to take
longer and longer journeys as I exhausted the supply close at hand; and
all the time I was perfectly conscious that lions were near, prowling
round our little apology for a camp so as to spring upon the horse and
pull him down. Every time I started for more fuel I expected to hear a
roar and feel one of the savage creatures spring upon me; but the night
wore on, with the fire giving a steadier glow as the time passed. I
suppose the fact of my keeping up a hurried movement, making a desperate
rush here and there, with the light from the fire throwing up my figure
plainly, was too much for the great cats, and they feared to attack.
Whatever it was, they were kept at bay; and daybreak found me thoroughly
exhausted, the last growl having died out, the light showing the great
soft footprints of our enemies round and round the clump of bushes,
crossing and recrossing, and suggesting that there had been a party of
four--an old lioness and her nearly full-grown cubs.

It was a narrow escape; and, as if only too glad to get away from so
dangerous a spot, Sandho so fidgeted to start that I had hard work to
secure the broken end of his rein to the ring of the bit without
shortening it so much that I could not hold it in my hand.

I took a good look round, however, before starting, and it was well I
did so, for, clearly seen now in the level sunbeams away to the north,
there was a party of horsemen riding in my direction, and discovery
seemed certain, even if I had not already been seen.

My first idea was to spring into the saddle and gallop off; but I was in
no condition for springing into my saddle. Crippled as I was, it meant
a slow and painful climb, and then in all probability the utmost I could
do would be to walk my horse slowly away.

To mount, lie down, and urge the horse round to the back of the clump of
bushes which had formed my shelter during the past night, and then
cautiously strike off straight away towards the mountains at a walk,
doing my best to keep the shelter of scrub between me and the enemy,
seemed the wiser plan, and this I put into execution.

I had several things in my favour by doi