they
could perform Divine service in the evening, if they thought proper,
when it would be cooler. This was agreed to, and, after an early supper,
they summoned all the Hottentots, who, although gorged, were still
unwilling to leave their fires; as they said the Bushmen would devour
all the flesh that was left, in their absence.

This remonstrance was not listened to, and they all assembled. The
prayers were read and the service gone through by the light of a large
fire, for it was very dark before the service was finished. The Bushmen,
as the Hottentots prophesied, had taken advantage of their absence, to
help themselves very liberally; and as Swinton read the prayers, the
eyes of the Hottentots were continually turning round to their own
fires, where the Bushmen were throwing on large pieces of buffalo-flesh,
and, before they were even heated through, were chewing them and tearing
them to pieces with their teeth.

Never perhaps was there a congregation whose attention was so divided,
and who were more anxious for the conclusion of the service. This
uneasiness shown by the Hottentots appeared at last to be communicated
to the oxen, which were tied up round the wagons. The fire required
replenishing, but none of the Hottentots moved to perform the office;
perhaps they thought that if Swinton could no longer see, the service
must conclude: but Swinton knew it by heart, and continued reading the
Commandments, which was the last portion which he read, and Alexander
and the Major repeated the responses. The Major, whose face was toward
the cattle, had observed their uneasiness, and guessed the cause, but
did not like to interrupt the service, as it was just over. Begum began
clinging to him in the way she always did when she was afraid; Swinton
had just finished, and the Major was saying, "Swinton, depend upon it,"
when a roar like thunder was heard, and a dark mass passed over their
heads.

The bellowing and struggling of the oxen was almost instantaneously
succeeded by a lion, with an ox borne on his shoulder, passing right
through the whole congregation, sweeping away the remnants of the fire
and the Hottentots right and left, and vanishing in a moment from their
sight. As may be imagined, all was confusion and alarm. Some screamed,
some shouted and ran for their guns; but it was too late. On
examination, it was found that the lion had seized the ox which had been
tied up near to where they were sitting; their fire b