But suddenly the noise stopped as though it had been cut by a knife. Total
silence fell on the little encampment. The men, their various actions
suspended, listened intently. From far away, apparently, a low, vibrating
rumble stole out of the night's immensity. It rose and seemed to draw
near, growing hollow and great, until the very ground seemed to tremble as
though a heavy train were passing, or the lower notes of a great organ had
been played in a little church. And then it died down, and receded to the
great distance again, and was ended by three low, grunting coughs.

The veldt was silent. The zebra barkings were still; the night birds had
hushed; the hyenas and jackals and all the other night creatures down--it
almost seemed--to the very insects had ceased their calls and cries and
chirpings. One might imagine every living creature rigid, alert,
listening, as were these men about the little fires.

The tension relaxed. The men dropped more fuel on the fires, coaxing the
flame brighter. A whispering comment rose from group to group.

"_Simba! simba! simba!_" they hissed one to the other.

A lion had roared!



CHAPTER III


THE RHINOCEROS