e soundly than we had done for
many nights, though we kept a guard as usual, as our fortification was
not entirely completed. The next morning we set to work to finish it,
and by noon had entirely surrounded it with an impenetrable hedge. It
took us some time longer to fasten the prickly branches to the top of
our fence. While we were at work, a party of blacks arrived from the
village, bringing with them a large quantity of elephant and rhinoceros
flesh. They came to thank our chief, they said, for the service he had
done them, though they feared that there were still other lions in the
neighbourhood. Stanley promised to do his best to look out for them,
should any again appear.

The young koodoo was by this time completely tamed, and even the little
zebra had lost all fear, and would come up when called by Kate or Bella
to be fed, and allow itself to be stroked and petted by them; but when
any blacks came near it, it would scamper off and kick out with its
heels, or, if they pursued it, would turn round and try to bite them.

"I am sure it would let me ride it," said Bella, "if we could make a
saddle to fit its back."

"I think I could do that for you, Miss Bella," said Jack; "but it might
be a hard job to put it on."

"If you will make the saddle and bridle, I will try to put them on,"
repeated Bella.

We had no lack of skins, which I should have said Timbo and Jack
employed themselves in dressing. Out of these, the former, who was very
ingenious, in a short time contrived to make a very respectable-looking
side-saddle. We had some iron wire, with which he formed a bit, as also
a stirrup. Bella was highly delighted when he produced it completed.
She, meantime, had allowed no one but herself to feed the little
creature, and every day when she did so she threw a piece of hide over
its back. In a little time she placed a still larger hide on the
animal, till it was thoroughly accustomed to the weight, and seemed in
no way to mind it. To introduce the bit into its mouth was a more
difficult task. However, it allowed her one day to slip it in, after it
had been eating; and she kept it there for some time, leading it by the
bridle about the yard.

"Now bring me the saddle, Jack," she cried out. "I am sure it will let
me put it on its back."

Jack brought it, and the zebra stood perfectly still while he tightened
the girths. Next to Kate and Bella, Jack was evidently the zebra's
favourite, and it never