night; there were the farmer
and I, two Hottentot men and a woman--by the bye, a very fat one, and
who consequently was more heated by the journey. During the night a
lion came and carried away the woman from among us all, and by his
tracks, as we found on the following morning, he had passed close to the
farmer and myself."

"Was the woman killed?"

"The night was so dark that we could see nothing; we were roused by her
shrieks, and seized our guns, but it was of no use. I recollect another
instance which was not so tragical. A Hottentot was carried off by a
lion during the night, wrapped up in his sheep-skin kaross, sleeping, as
they usually do, with his face to the ground. As the lion trotted away
with him, the fellow contrived to wriggle out of his kaross, and the
lion went off with only his mantle."

"Well, I should think one of the karosses must be a very savoury morsel
for a hungry lion," said the Major;--"but I imagine it is almost time to
unyoke, we must have travelled nearly twenty miles, and these forests
promise well for the game we are in search of."

"I suspect that they contain not only buffaloes, but elephants; however,
we shall soon find out by examining the paths down to the river, which
they like in going for water."

"I think that yonder knoll would be a good place to fix our encampment,
Swinton," said the Major; "it is well shaded with mimosas, and yet clear
of the main forest."

"Well, you are quartermaster-general, and must decide."

The Major ordered Bremen to arrange the waggons as usual, and turn the
cattle out to feed. As soon as this had been accomplished, they saddled
their horses, and awaited the return of Swanevelt, who had gone to
reconnoitre. Shortly afterwards he returned, with the report that there
were the tracks of elephants, buffaloes, and lions, in every direction
by the river's banks; and as the dogs would now be of use, they were
ordered to be let loose, which they seldom were, unless the game was
large and to be regularly hunted down. Our travellers mounted and
proceeded into the forest, accompanied by all the Hottentots except the
cattle-keepers and the Bushmen; Bremen, Swanevelt, and Omrah only being
on horseback, as well as themselves. As they rode forward slowly and
cautiously at the outset, Swinton asked the Major whether he had ever
shot buffaloes.

"Yes, in India," replied the Major; "and desperate animals they are in
that country."

"I was about to sa