he skin of a
Hottentot, whether a lion's nose is not much more likely to be attracted
by one of either of these tribes of people, than it would by either you
or me. How often, in traveling, have we changed our position, when the
wind has borne down upon us the effluvia of the Hottentot who was
driving?--why that effluvia is borne down with the wind for miles, and
is as savory to the lion, I have no doubt, as a beefsteak is to us."

"There can, I think, be no doubt of that," said Alexander; "but it is
said that they will select a Hottentot from white men."

"No doubt of it, because they follow up the scent right to the party
from whence it emanates. I can give you an instance of it. I was once
traveling with a Dutch farmer, with his wagon and Hottentots. We unyoked
and lay down on the sand for the night; there were the farmer and I, two
Hottentot men and a woman--by the by, a very fat one, and who
consequently was more heated by the journey. During the night a lion
came and carried away the woman from among us all, and by his tracks, as
we found on the following morning, he had passed close to the farmer and
myself."

"Was the woman killed?"

"The night was so dark that we could see nothing; we were roused by her
shrieks, and seized our guns, but it was of no use. I recollect another
instance which was not so tragical. A Hottentot was carried off by a
lion during the night, wrapped up in his sheep-skin kaross, sleeping, as
they usually do, with his face to the ground. As the lion trotted away
with him, the fellow contrived to wriggle out of his kaross, and the
lion went off only his mantle."

"Well, I should think one of the karosses must be a very savory morsel
for a hungry lion," said the Major;--"but I imagine it is almost time to
unyoke; we must have traveled nearly twenty miles, and these forests
promise well for the game we are in search of."

"I suspect that they contain not only buffaloes, but elephants; however,
we shall soon find out by examining the paths down to the river, which
they make in going for water."

"I think that yonder knoll would be a good place to fix our encampment,
Swinton," said the Major; "it is well shaded with mimosas, and yet clear
of the main forest."

"Well, you are quartermaster-general, and must decide."

The Major ordered Bremen to arrange the wagons as usual, and turn the
cattle out to feed. As soon as this had been accomplished, they saddled
their horses, and awaited the