ays attempt
again to obtain. The poor people declared that there would be no safety
for them unless the lions were killed, for night after night they would
come, and no one would be able to go beyond their enclosures without the
risk of being seized. The difficulty was to find the lions, for they
were as cunning as ferocious, and the blacks declared that, by eating
men's flesh, they had obtained some of the sense of human beings.

"We will soon put that to the test," said Stanley, jumping up. "Tell
him, Igubo, if he will go with you and I, and show us where we can fall
in with the lion, we will soon give an account of him."

The stranger expressed his gratitude, and Igubo at once consented to
accompany Stanley. I confess I felt somewhat unwilling that he should
go, for he would thus completely put himself in the power of the
strangers, of whose honesty we had had no proof. Igubo, however, fully
believed them faithful, and would, I was sure, not desert him. I
proposed that we should all go out in the day-time, and attempt to fall
in with the lion man-eaters; but the stranger black said that would be
useless, as they were sure to keep out of the way. He knew, however, he
told us, of a spot which they were likely to visit in the early part of
the night. It was a pool in a small stream which ran into the river,
where numerous wild animals came to drink.

"But, dear Stanley, what is the use of you exposing yourself thus at
night," said Kate. "The lions will surely visit the village, and could
you not shoot them when they come? At the spot the stranger speaks of,
you will be surrounded by ferocious creatures, and though you may kill
one or two of them, the others may set upon you, and your life may be
sacrificed."

Stanley laughed at the notion.

"In the first place, dear sister, the lions will not show themselves
till some unfortunate person passes," he said. "Thus I might have to
wait day after day without killing one. Now, our friend here declares
that every night they go down to the water, so that I am sure to meet
them. Let us manage it, and do not be afraid. We shall return in
safety, and probably have been of service to these poor people, by
getting rid of their savage enemies."

"Oh! let us accompany you," cried Leo and Natty. "We will take care of
Stanley," said Leo; "so do not be afraid, Kate."

"Thank you; but the man-eaters might carry one of you off," answered
Stanley; "so I must decline yo