gnal for the renewal of Dinny's
fears, which he showed in a very peculiar way.

Jack had just thrown a few more pieces of wood upon the fire, which
blazed up directly; and then, taking his place again, he was making
himself comfortable, when there was a tremendous hollow roar, made by a
hippopotamus, apparently pretty close to them.

Dinny immediately shifted his position, getting close up to Jack, who
did not say anything, but feeling uncomfortably warm dodged a little
farther off.

That was of no avail, for Dinny followed him, getting closer still, with
the result that in the course of the next hour Jack was driven right
round the fire; and he was just about to commence a second tour when the
General came, with Dick, to relieve the watch, and Jack went off to bed.

CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN.

MARKED DOWN BY VULTURES.

They were still many miles from King Moseti's town, and the larder being
again low, consequent upon the impossibility of keeping meat, a
hunting-party was instituted, and Mr Rogers was about to go off with
the boys; but on second thoughts, as they had been seen by the people on
the river, no doubt the news of their coming was known all through the
country, and it was possible that some of the natives might come down.

This he felt would be unsatisfactory if he was away, so he decided to
stop; and then feeling that it would be better to have some trustworthy
man to help guard the waggon, and not feeling that either Dinny, Peter,
or Dirk, was that man, he decided to tell the General to stay.

So the hunting-party consisted of the four boys, who were warned not to
go too far, but to be sure and get something in the shape of meat as
soon as they could.

They went off in high glee, Coffee being delighted to be able to take
his place in the party; and nothing would do but he must perform all
sorts of feats, to show how strong he had grown once more.

Acting upon Mr Rogers' advice, they made straight for the high, open,
park-like land, about a couple of miles south of the river; and here
Coffee soon showed his talent as a tracker, by pointing out some
footprints in a patch of soft earth and mud close to a clear pool of
water.

"Lion!" he said, pointing to the great round impression: and he spat and
stamped, and then struck the ground fiercely with his kiri.

"Elfant!" cried Chicory just then; and his discovery so far transcended
his brother's, that there was a rush to see the huge round footprint,