hen another loud 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 paralysed 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 laid 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 the heavens above reflected
in a small pool, which he pointed out to Alexander and the Major. Down
they dropped to the 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 knelt 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 travellers, as they knelt 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