. The figure
seemed to have risen out of the earth, so silently had it gained its
position in the midst of the party; and had not a man as well-trained
and as keenly sensed as Hans been on watch, a complete surprise could
have been effected.

With a movement as slow and cautious as that of the Kaffir, Hans
gathered himself together for a spring on his enemy, who stood listening
to the sleepers' long-drawn breaths, then with a sudden bound he dashed
forward, and stabbed with his long knife at where he believed he would
reach the Kaffir. He had however either miscalculated his distance, or
his enemy was too quick for him, for nothing resisted his stabs, and he
fell headlong to the ground, having stumbled over the underwood before
him. In an instant he was on his feet again, and crouched down to catch
sight if possible of his foe, but nothing was to be seen, and had it not
been for a slight rustling of the leaves and the crushing of a few
sticks, he would have doubted whether his eyes had not been deceived.
These sounds, however, would have convinced him, had he been in doubt,
that no vision had crossed his sight, but a substantial and quick-witted
enemy; and thus when Victor and Bernhard, awakened by the noise made by
Hans' fall, inquired what was the matter, he was able to whisper in
reply, "A single Matabili has tried to becroup us as we slept."

"Where is he?" said Victor: "has he escaped?"

Before Hans could reply, a sound struck upon the ears of the three men
which caused them to grasp their rifles with firmness, whilst the two
girls started up with a shriek of terror. This noise was the savage
roar of a lion, followed by the agonised yell of a human being in fear
and suffering, a momentary struggle, the cracking of some brittle
substance, and then the deep, guttural, satisfied grunts of a monster
which has captured its prey.

"The Matabili is killed by a man-eater," whispered Hans; "and perhaps he
has saved one of us. I believed I smelt a lion some two hours ago, and
perhaps he has been crouching near us, watching for one of us."

"Katie, dear," exclaimed Hans, "don't be afraid. There is no danger:
keep quiet, and lie and rest, and, if you can, sleep. We need not start
for two hours yet."

"What was that fearful noise, Hans? I dreamed you were killed."

"No, Katie, I am well, thank God, and ready to do good service yet: it
was only some wild animal made a noise; but trust us three to keep you
safe.