thought that I might venture to enter the hut to see what was the
matter with Natty. The brutes, however, directly I was silent, again
came on. I was relieved too by hearing Natty ask, "What is it all
about, Andrew? Have you found Leo and Mango? I have been dreaming
about them so much." Greatly relieved, I replied that some wild animals
were in the neighbourhood, and that I was going to fire at them; and
once more I turned my face towards our enemies.

The brutes were again drawing nearer. Advancing a pace or two to the
fire, I gave it a kick with my foot. This made the flames leap up. By
their light I saw that a fresh actor had come upon the stage and
attracted the attention of the savage brutes. A huge serpent had
crawled out from among the bushes. It sprang upon one of the dogs,
which immediately, writhing in agony, sank on the ground. Instead of
taking to flight, however, they rushed at the creature, one of them
seizing it by the back, but not before one or two others were bitten.
The rest then set on it, and tearing it to pieces, quickly devoured the
greater portion, leaving the head, on account I concluded of the venom
it contained. Not satisfied with their victory over the snake, they
once more advanced towards me with hideous growls and yelps. Seeing
that it would be dangerous to allow them to approach nearer, I took aim
at a large animal, which appeared to be the leader of the pack. I
knocked him over, and he lay struggling on the ground yelping loudly.
His companions came round him, and gave me time to reload. I did not
wish to expend my ammunition uselessly, so, stooping down, I seized a
burning stick, giving another poke to the fire as I did so, and then
waved the brand round and round, shouting loudly in a gruff voice, and
ordering the dogs to be off. Though they did not understand what I
said, the tone of my voice had the effect I desired; and, greatly to my
relief, barking and yelping, they scampered away, I shouting after them.
The animal I had shot kicked his last as they disappeared in the gloom
of the night, and I hoped that I was rid of them.

Having thrown some more sticks on the fire, I went back to Natty. I
felt his hand; it appeared very feverish, and I was still more alarmed
by hearing the incoherent expressions he uttered. Weary as I was, I
could not venture again to go to sleep. I sat down, therefore, by the
side of my poor young companion, moistening his fevered lips every