ed while out shooting. We therefore struck camp, and proceeded on
to the northward. The country in many places was rocky, and though
there were no mountains of any great height there were savage defiles
through which we had to pass, the sides of the cliffs being covered with
brushwood and creepers, and in some spots with tall trees. We were not
afraid of being attacked by natives, but notwithstanding we always sent
out scouts on our flanks and ahead.

We had gone on some distance when Toko, who was leading, came hurrying
back.

"I have seen a strange sight, which I would rather not have seen," he
exclaimed.

"What is it?" asked my uncle.

"Lions, a whole army of them. They seem determined to stop our way," he
answered.

"If there were a hundred of them they should not do that," replied my
uncle. "We'll have a look at the gentlemen. We shall soon drive them
off if I mistake not."

As it would have been imprudent to carry the cattle and horses into the
neighbourhood, a halt was called, and the blacks were left in charge of
the animals, while we, with Hans Scarff, prepared to ride forward.

"Stay!" said Harry. "I think we have got something to send them to the
rightabout, if our shouts fail to drive them away." And going to the
waggon he produced half-a-dozen rockets.

"One of those will do," observed his father, "for we may want the rest
for another emergency. However, you can carry a couple in case one
should fail."

Led by Toko, we proceeded along the defile, when, on reaching some high
ground, we saw, collected together below us among the rocks, an immense
number of lions. There must have been several families, fathers and
mothers with their young ones. What could have brought them together to
that spot, it was difficult to conjecture. Toko declared that they knew
we were about to pass that way, and had assembled for the purpose of
attacking us. Of course such an idea was ridiculous; however, there
they were, and had we passed close to them, they might have committed
serious havoc among our cattle, although we should no doubt have shot
down many of them. They must have seen us, from the way they lashed
their tails and muttered; while, from the loud roars which three or four
of the elders gave forth, it was pretty clear that they meant mischief.

We, however, rode forward determined to drive them away. Harry and I,
in the meantime, got the rockets ready to fire in case our shouts should
fail