"The oxen, which were as usual tied to the disselboom of the Scotch
cart, were very restless--they kept snuffling and blowing, and rising
up and lying down again, so I at once suspected that they must wind
something. Presently I knew what it was that they winded, for within
fifty yards of us a lion roared, not very loud, but quite loud enough
to make my heart come into my mouth.

"Pharaoh was sleeping on the other side of the cart, and, looking
beneath it, I saw him raise his head and listen.

"'Lion, Inkoos,' he whispered, 'lion!'

"Jim-Jim also jumped up, and by the faint light I could see that he
was in a very great fright indeed.

"Thinking that it was as well to be prepared for emergencies, I told
Pharaoh to throw wood upon the fire, and woke up Harry, who I verily
believe was capable of sleeping happily through the crack of doom. He
was a little scared at first, but presently the excitement of the
position came home to him, and he grew quite anxious to see his
majesty face to face. I got my rifle handy and gave Harry his--a
Westley Richards falling block, which is a very useful gun for a
youth, being light and yet a good killing rifle, and then we waited.

"For a long time nothing happened, and I began to think that the best
thing we could do would be to go to sleep again, when suddenly I heard
a sound more like a cough than a roar within about twenty yards of the
skerm. We all looked out, but could see nothing; and then followed
another period of suspense. It was very trying to the nerves, this
waiting for an attack that might be developed from any quarter or