eing nearly
extinguished, and the one which should have been kept alight next to it
altogether neglected by the Hottentots, in their anxiety to keep up
those on which they had been broiling their buffalo-steaks.

The leather thongs by which the ox had been tied up were snapped like
threads, and many of the other oxen had, in their agony of fear, broken
their fastenings and escaped. As the lion bounded away through the
assembled party, it appeared as if the ox was not a feather's weight to
him. He had, however, stepped rather roughly upon two of the Hottentots,
who lay groaning, as if they had been severely hurt; but upon
examination it was found that they had only been well scratched and
covered with ashes. The Bushmen, however, had left their meal, and with
their bows and small poisoned arrows had gone in pursuit. Bremen and one
or two of the Hottentots proposed also to go, but our travelers would
not permit them. About an hour afterward the Bushmen returned, and Omrah
had communication with them; and through Bremen they learned that the
Bushmen had come up with the lion about a mile distant, and had
discharged many of their arrows at him, and, they were convinced, with
effect, as a heavy growl or an angry roar was the announcement when he
was hit; but, although he was irritated, he continued his repast. Omrah
then said, "Lion dead to-morrow,--Bushmen find him."

"Well," said Alexander, as they went to their wagons, which, in
consequence of this event, and their having to make up large fires
before they went to bed, they did not do till late, "I believe this is
the first time that Divine service was ever wound up by such intrusion."

"Perhaps so," replied Swinton; "but I think it proves that we have more
cause for prayer, surrounded as we are by such danger. The lion might
have taken one of us, and by this time we should have suffered a horrid
death."

"I never felt the full force of the many similes and comparisons in the
Scriptures, where the lion is so often introduced, till now," observed
Alexander.

"It was indeed a most awful sermon after the prayers," said the Major:
"I trust never to hear such a one again: but is it not our own fault?
This is the second time that one of our oxen has been carried off by a
lion, from the circle of fires not being properly attended to. It is the
neglect of the Hottentots, certainly; but if they are so neglectful, we
should attend to them ourselves."

"It will be as well to