ing far to go. On
arriving at the spot agreed on, we found that our companions had not
returned. We therefore set to work to collect fuel for a fire, and to
cut up one of the animals. So parched had we become, that we could
scarcely refrain from drinking their blood. I had always found,
however, that blood rather increased than diminished thirst. We were
both by this time well versed in wood-craft, and quickly divided the
animal in the most scientific fashion. While we were employed in this
manner, we frequently looked round to ascertain if the two men were
approaching, but they were not to be seen.

Having finished our task, while I was making up the fire, Harry climbed
to the top of the rock, that he might obtain a wider look-out.

"I can see them nowhere," he said, when he came down, "but I caught
sight of an animal which, if I mistake not, is a big lion following our
spoor, or probably it is attracted by the scent of the deer. As he is
coming this way, we must be prepared for him: though he might not
condescend to eat a dead deer, he may take it into his head to carry off
one of us living subjects. He is not likely to give us any undue notice
of his approach."

Harry agreed therefore to keep watch while I continued the operations on
which I was engaged. I soon got some forked sticks, which I ran into
the ground to hold the spits, and on these I placed the venison to
roast, but hungry as I was I felt that without water I could scarcely
get down the food I was cooking. Evening was approaching.

"I say, Fred, if those fellows don't come soon, we must set off by
ourselves, and look out for water. Perhaps some may be found among the
rocks, or if not, we must cut some wooden spades and dig for it. Those
deer wouldn't be inhabiting these parts if water wasn't in the
neighbourhood."

"It will be too late to commence any search tonight," I observed. "It
is already nearly dark, and the chances are that the lion you saw just
now will pounce down upon us, if we go far from the fire. I would
rather endure thirst than run that risk."

"Still we must have water," exclaimed Harry; "but you stay here and look
after the venison, and I'll just wander to a short distance. I do not
suppose the brute will find me; and perhaps, you know, it was not a lion
after all I saw: it might have been a buffalo or a brindled gnu."

"You said positively it was a lion," I remarked; "for your own sake, as
well as mine, I beg that