. Just as I reached it and
found myself firmly seated, I heard a shout, and looking round, caught
sight of a Zulu rushing out from beneath a thick bush, where he had
ensconced himself. I did not stop to inquire what he wanted, but urging
on my animal with my voice and heels, I galloped off across the country.
I was breasting the opposite hill when several other Zulus joined the
first. Whether, even then, they had made out that there was anybody on
the back of the horse, I was not certain. I think they did not; for, as
I bent low down, they might have supposed that the animal had been
suddenly seized with a desire to return to its former companions, and
that the others would probably follow, which of course they wished to
prevent them from doing. When once I was on the top of the hill, I knew
that there was little chance of the Zulus overtaking me. I galloped
forward, soon getting beyond the sound of their voices, while I knew
that they could not distinguish even the clatter of my horse's hoofs at
the distance I was already from them. I had a long ride before me; but
as my horse was fresh, and had had a good feed, I had no doubt that I
could accomplish it. I guessed, more or less, the direction of our
camp, and hoped that I was steering a straight course by the stars,
which shone brightly. My steed fortunately could see his way better
than I could, or I should often have been greatly puzzled. At last the
moon rose. Although it dimmed the stars, it afforded more light, and
enabled me to see the outline of the hills, by which I knew that I was
going right. I was galloping along, when my horse started and began to
tremble. Presently a loud roar saluted my ears. Looking ahead, I saw,
to my dismay, a lion just emerging from a thicket. Had I had my rifle,
I would have tried to shoot the brute. To gallop either to the one side
or the other would have been madness, as the lion would have been up to
me in a few bounds; for, heavy as the creature looks, he can, I assure
you, move for a short distance faster than the fleetest horse. Could I
have induced my steed to move forward, I would have ridden at the lion,
taking care, you may be sure, not to get within range of his paws; but
the poor animal, trembling with fear, stood stock still. At first I was
not quite certain that the lion was looking at me. Presently, however,
he roared again. In return I shouted at the top of my voice. This
seemed to encourage my hors