ave also
observed another spider, which can leap a distance of several inches on
its prey. When alarmed by my approach, I have seen one spring nearly a
foot away.

The thunder, which had for some time been roaring louder and louder, at
length gradually began to grow less frequent and more faint, and by
degrees rolled further and further away, though its mutterings were
still heard in the distance. The rain ceased, and the bright rays of
the western sun penetrated beneath the wide-spreading branches of our
baobab-tree. The change raised my spirits, and the air already felt
cooler and more refreshing.

CHAPTER TWENTY.

OUR RESIDENCE IN A BAOBAB-TREE.

The bright rays of the sun, which streamed into the hollow tree, had a
good effect upon Natty; and feeling that I could leave him, I proposed
cutting some stakes with which to secure ourselves during the night from
the attacks which wandering beasts of prey might be inclined to make on
us. Taking my hatchet, I accordingly went out and set to work. I
easily cut a sufficient number of stakes for the purpose from the
branches of the neighbouring trees. I should have been better off with
a good supply of nails; but as they were wanting, I had to do without
them. Pointing the stakes, I drove them into the ground just inside the
mouth of the hollow, placing other pieces crossways, and jamming them as
I best could into the sides of the entrance. I left only a small hole,
through which I could just creep in and out. I made the grating so high
that I hoped no panther or lion could leap over it. I had gone to the
outer edge of the grove to get some firewood, and was returning by a
path through which I had not yet passed, it being already dusk, when
suddenly I found my face covered with what I can only describe as a long
veil; while just at my nose I saw a horrid monster, of a bright yellow
colour, with long legs and claws, struggling violently, and in its
fright I thought it would scratch out my eyes. I rushed forward,
throwing down my load, and dashing into our cavern, entreated Natty to
relieve me from my fearful tormentor. Even he, ill as he was, could
scarcely help laughing at my alarmed countenance. The spider--for such
the creature was--was as much frightened as I was, and crawled away in a
great hurry before we could kill him, the instant Natty had assisted me
in tearing off part of its web. It took some time to clear my face of
the remainder, and several