tern came
dancing through the darkness to help light up the scene.

"Now, my boy," said the doctor, "do you feel faint?"

"No," said Mark sturdily.

"I only want to see how much you are hurt."

"It's getting better now," said the boy cheerfully. "It only aches."

"But I must see where--" began the doctor, only to be checked by a shout
from Mark.

"I say, don't! You are hurting me again. It's a big thorn, and you
pressed it farther in."

"Is it the beast's claw?" whispered Sir James.

"It can't be," replied the doctor. "It's right on the back of his
shoulder where I placed my hand--yes, here it is."

"Oh!" ejaculated Mark again, for the doctor thrust his hand inside the
door of one of the lanterns, to display a great thorn about two inches
long.

"Ah, there's lots more here, sir," cried Bob Bacon. "Mr Mark must have
been knocked right into these bushes."

"Why, Mark," continued the doctor, "hold up your hands. They are all
covered with blood. Scratches. I don't find anything else the matter
with you."

"No," said Mark; "I don't think there is. I say, don't make such a fuss
about it. It makes one look so stupid. I say, father, I'm very sorry I
fired."

"Sorry!" said his father warmly. "Thank heaven, my boy, you are hurt no
worse. The brute, whatever it was, must have been tremendously strong,
and struck you down in its leap."

"Well, it did come at me with a good bang, father, just the same moment
that I fired. Here, who's got my gun?"

"Gun," said a voice, and the Illaka reached over to thrust it into the
boy's hand.

"Oh, thank you," said Mark. "Mustn't lose that. Here, you catch hold,
Dean. Then you think I did right in firing, father?"

"Why, of course, my boy."

"Here, that will do, doctor. I think I am all right."

"Well, really, my boy, I am beginning to think so too. But I will keep
watch the rest of the night with one of the men. You had better go and
lie down now."

"Oh, no," said Mark. "It's my watch, and I am going to finish it."

"And I will come and finish it with you, my boy," said his father.

"But he has finished it," said the doctor, who had hastily pulled out
his watch. "Two o'clock!"

"Then it's my turn," said Dean quickly.

"But I can't let you undertake that task now," said Sir James.

"Let me come, sir, along with Mr Dean, sir," cried the sailor.

"No," said Sir James. "Thank you all the same, my man, I have my rifle
ready loaded. What has b