urnful, groaning cry, and
before he had gone many paces he sank down helpless on the ground. He
continued his roar of pain for some minutes. I was about to rush up to
despatch him at once, but Bigg entreated me to remain quiet, saying that
it is very dangerous to approach a dying lion, as, with a last effort,
he may spring up and destroy the incautious intruder. As soon as I had
fired, the other lions, scared by the noise, trotted off and disappeared
in the bush. At last the big lion's groans ceased, and then, carrying
as many sticks as we could lift, with torches in our hands, we
approached the carcass. Solon ran up to it with evident mistrust, but
after he had sniffed round it, the lion making no movement, we felt
satisfied that it was dead. We at once lighted a large fire close to
the carcass, to scare away his comrades, or the hyenas or jackals,
should they be inclined to return; and then forthwith set about skinning
him. It was no easy operation, and we had also to collect sticks to
keep up our fire, while we were several times alarmed by Solon's barking
at the approach of wild beasts. The night was far spent before the skin
was in what we fancied a fit state for use, and we then returned with
our trophy to our tree. We lighted another fire in front of it, and
afterwards, while Bigg kept watch, I took a couple of hours' sleep. He
laughed at the notion when I roused up and told him to lie down, and
said that, on a pinch, he could do very well without sleep for a night
or two.

As soon as we had breakfasted and our garments were ready, we dressed up
in them.

My heart beat anxiously as we drew near the village. The people stared
at us as we approached, pointing, and running, and chattering away most
vehemently, evidently not knowing what to make of us. My rifle was
still covered up, and Bigg carried both our bundles. We advanced
boldly, as if we were confident of meeting with a friendly reception.
As we drew nearer, Bigg began to shout out all the titles he could think
of, to make it appear that I was some very wonderful person. I looked
about, meantime, eagerly for Alfred. I did not see him, and I began to
fear that he was not there, or that he might be ill, or perhaps, worse
than all, had sunk under the climate and the labour he had to perform.
The people crowded round us, and the chief made his appearance, and I
saw Bigg pointing to my lion-skin robe, and talking away very
vehemently. He was expl