here am de Cap'n!" he at length shouted, such being the title
he usually bestowed on my uncle. "He bring springbok, an' someting else
too."

I felt greatly relieved when I saw my uncle throw down his heavy load,
consisting not only of the antelope which I had shot, but of the lion's
skin.

"I brought this," he said, "to make a bed for you. You want it, though
it is not fit at present to serve the purpose."

I thanked him for his offer, but declared that I would rather just then
be left where I was, as any movement pained me.

Jan lost no time in cutting off some pieces of venison, and placing them
to roast. My uncle also put on a pot with a small portion to make some
soup, which he said would suit me better than the roast. Hungry as I
was, though I tried to eat some of the latter as soon as Jan declared it
sufficiently done, I could not manage to get it down. My thirst became
excessive, and it was fortunate that we were near water, or I believe I
should otherwise have died.

The hut was soon finished, and some leaves and grass placed in it for me
to lie upon. The soup did me some good, but I suffered so much pain
that I could scarcely sleep all the night, and in the morning was in so
fevered a condition, that I was utterly unfit to travel. I was very
sorry to delay my uncle, but it could not be helped, and he bore the
detention with his usual good temper. Nothing could exceed his
kindness. He sat by my side for hours together; he dressed my wounds
whenever he thought it necessary, and indeed tended me with the greatest
care.

Day after day, however, went by, and I still remained in the same
helpless state. He would not have left me for a moment, I believe, but
it was necessary to go out and procure more game.

Jan had undertaken to scrape and prepare the lion's skin. He was thus
employed near the stream at a little distance from the camp when I was
startled by hearing a loud snort; and, looking up, what was my horror to
see him rushing along, with a huge hippopotamus following him! In
another minute I expected to see him seized by its formidable jaws and
trampled to death, and then I thought that the savage brute would make
at me. In vain I attempted to rise and get my gun, but my uncle, when
he went out, had forgotten to place it near me. I tried to cry out and
frighten the brute, but I could not raise my voice sufficiently high.
Poor Jan shrieked loud enough, but his cries had no effect on the
m