here, the whole of the
defendants having discharged their pieces, and a number of lions
bounding across the open were already close to the cattle.

The new-comers at once opened fire. Two or three of the lions sprang
among the cattle; but the rest, intimidated by the noise and flash of
the guns, and by the yelling and shouting of the natives, turned and
made off again. Those among the cattle were soon disposed of, but not
before they had killed three of the draught-oxen and seriously torn two
others.

The roaring continued until daybreak, gradually, however, growing
fainter and more distant, and it was evident that the attack had ceased.

"Are their skins worth anything?" Dick asked.

"Yes, they are worth a few dollars apiece, except in the case of old
lions, who are apt to become mangy, and these are not worth skinning.
We have killed eight of them, but their skins will not be worth anything
like so much as the cattle they have killed; however, it is well that it
is no worse. An attack by these troops of lions is no joke; they are by
far the most formidable animals of South Africa I don't say that an
attack by a herd of wild elephants would not be more serious, but I
never heard of such a thing taking place. They are timid creatures, and
easily scared, and except in the case of wounded animals or of solitary
bulls they can scarcely be considered as dangerous."

When day broke, the natives set to work to skin the lions, with the
exception of one whose skin was valueless. As soon as the operation was
completed, the skins were packed in the waggons, the oxen were
inspanned, and the caravan proceeded on its way, all being glad to leave
so dangerous a locality.

The next evening they encamped upon a river, and the night passed
without interruption. The following morning, just as they were about to
start, Tony, who with the other hunters had gone out at daybreak,
returned with the news that he had found the spoor of elephants, and
that he believed a herd had passed along only a few hours before.

Mr Harvey at once decided to halt where he was for another day. The
oxen were again unyoked, and six of the armed natives having been left
to guard the camp, under the direction of Jumbo, the whole of the rest,
with the white men, set off in pursuit of the elephants.

The spoor was quite distinct, and even had this failed, there would have
been no difficulty in following the track, for there were scattered here
and