nning. All this travelling
out here makes a fellow feel so jolly and happy. One goes to roost
tired out, and is fast asleep directly, so that one wakes rested in the
morning, with the air making one ready to dance and sing."

"Makes you hungry," said Dean banteringly. "But why don't you dance and
sing? I should like to see you. Only tell me when you are going to
begin and I will call our fellows up to look at you. I say, what a pity
it is that we could not get the herd of little pigs to form a ring. I
believe it would make the solemn-looking little chaps grin for once in
their lives."

"Oh, go on," cried Mark. "I'll pocket all this and give it you back in
some shape or another one of these days. It pleases you and it doesn't
hurt me; but all the same if we do come back this way I mean to stop
when we get to our old camp, and then give the pigmies a call."

"No, don't," said Dean, "because if you do you will want me to go and
take care of you, and no more forest, if you please."

Oddly enough that very evening when the compass said they were
travelling due west, that is to say, right across the plain that now
opened before them in the direction that Mak had pointed out as being
the way to the big stones, and when the great forest lay looking as if
sinking into a golden cloud far behind, something occurred.

They had seen that they were now passing into the open country, for
twice over a drove of antelopes had taken fright where they were grazing
and dashed away, but the second time by means of careful stalking and
taking advantage of the screen offered by scattered clumps of trees, the
doctor and Sir James had both made a good addition to their larder.

This change in the country, though it fully proved that they could
secure an ample supply of provisions, and though their black guide when
questioned had pointed to one of the kopjes or clumps of granite which
sprinkled the plain as being where they would find water--brought with
it a suggestion of danger.

"Yes, gentlemen," said Buck; "we shall have to be careful now, what my
messmate Dan calls look out for squalls."

"Roaring squalls?" said Mark, laughing. "Yes, Mr Mark, sir, roaring
squallers, who as soon as they scent us out will be full of the idee
that we have come here on purpose to bring them a change of wittles."

"Oh, you mean that they are rather tired of venison and want to have
beef."

"That's right, Mr Mark, sir; and we can't pay them ou