for protection, while a gurgling source
of water gushed out at the foot of the largest mass of granite, foamed
away amongst the stones for about a hundred yards, forming several clear
pools, and lost itself in a muddy, trampled little swamp which showed
plenty of signs of being visited by the herds of antelope which roamed
the veldt.

One of the first things done was the making of a hurried survey of the
kopje, Mak at once bending to his task of leading the travellers, rifle
in hand, to the examination of every spot that suggested the possibility
of its being used as a lair by any dangerous cat-like beast. But no
lion sprang out, and there was nothing suggestive of danger till Mak led
the searchers to where the stream spread out for a while before it sank
down into the sand.

Here there were plenty of traces of antelope of various kinds, their
footprints showing out distinctly and indicating the ease with which a
watcher could get a shot. But the next minute the thoughts of all were
occupied by their guide stopping short and pointing out the plainly
marked spoor of a lion.

This, however, proved to be evidently of some days' standing, but it was
enough to add energy to the efforts made in having the waggons dragged
up close to a mass of rock where they could form part of the protection
needed and lessen the necessary labour in shutting in the beasts.

Every man had his own work to do, and even with the extra toil of
strengthening their camp it was not long before the fire was blazing
well, the cattle grazing upon the rich grass in the neighbourhood of the
pools, and their guide, being satisfied that they had no unpleasant
neighbours, now beckoned to the boys and pointed to the highest portion
of the granite kopje, suggesting that they should follow him and have a
climb.

The mass of granite, formed of huge, tumbled together blocks, was easily
accessible, and the doctor followed them when they began to ascend, till
the highest point was reached and they stood sweeping the vast expanse
around which now lay plain in the beautifully limpid air.

During the day a soft, hot haze had shut off the more distant objects,
but now everything showed up refracted, so that the distant hillocks and
clumps of trees seemed quite near, lit up by the soft glow left by the
sun that was now below the horizon.

Look in whatever direction they would, every object was in the fleeting
minutes wonderfully clear. There lay in the direc