"

The lion, however, allowed us to gain our home, where we found David and
Timbo looking out for us, and ready to fire at the beast should he
approach.

"But where Chico?" cried Timbo when he saw us. Jack told him what had
happened. "When I tell Igubo, he soon punish crocodile," he said.
"Igubo great crocodile hunter."

"But what have you there, Jack?" asked David, as he saw the turtle which
Jack had brought up on his back. "Well, you have indeed a prize, for
the turtle will be a pleasant addition to our bill of fare."

When the girls went to their hut, we examined the water-turtle, which
Timbo and Jack at once prepared for cooking. Opening it, we found that
it had upwards of thirty eggs in its body. The shells were flexible,
and the same size at both ends, like those of the crocodile.

"Dis make one bery fine dish," said Timbo, "and de liber is first-rate.
We hab it ready for when de captain come back."

"We must leave the charge of cooking it to you," said David, "for I
doubt whether my sisters will understand the art so well."

Part of the turtle was cooked, and supper made ready, but still our
friends did not appear. Night drew on, and we became somewhat anxious.
At last David advised his sisters to take supper and to return to their
hut, while we sat up waiting for the party. Hour after hour passed by,
and still they did not appear. At last David insisted on the boys and I
going to bed, while he and Jack and Timbo kept watch. Every now and
then we could hear the roar of the lion in the distance, replied to by
their loud shouts to scare him away. I could only hope that my cousins
were asleep: as for myself, I could not close my eyes. Not a breath of
wind was stirring, not a sound was heard except that ominous roar which
occasionally broke the silence of night. At length David came in,
pretty well tired out, and lay down, saying that Jack had undertaken to
keep the morning watch. I also, in spite of my anxiety, at last fell
asleep. I awoke suddenly with the sound of the lion's roar in my ears.
It seemed far louder and dearer than before. Could it be fancy? The
morning light was streaming in through an opening over the door, which
we had left to admit air. Again I heard that fearful roar. I started
up, for it seemed to be in the very midst of our camp. I thought of my
young cousins and the boys, who were likely enough to have gone out
early. I sprang to the opening, and there I saw, in the