nutes he had augmented
the fire by throwing on armfuls of wood, till there was a fierce blaze
which lit up the edge of the forest and made the waggons and their tilts
show up as if of gold.

"Well done, Mak!" cried Denham. "That will do more than all our
shooting. More wood--all you can."

The black understood him, and as snarl after snarl came from out of the
forest the dry wood blazed up and the growling grew less and less.

"They're a-sneaking off, sir," said the big driver, "and I think you
might give them another shot or two to hurry them."

"All together," said the doctor sharply. "Ready! Fire!"

The flashes from the mouths of the rifles looked slight in the glow of
the flames, and the reports rang out loudly, to be followed by a fierce
yell and a snarling roar, as, feeling awestricken by what was taking
place, the boys pictured to themselves amidst the low growth the huge
lion tearing about in its rage and pain.

"I'd keep quiet, gentlemen," whispered Buck. "One of us has hit
another, and if he made out where we were he might charge."

The man ceased speaking as the tearing and raging about of the wounded
beasts went on, but evidently growing more distant, till their snapping
and snarling were almost drowned by the fierce, loud crackling of the
burning fire.

"It's crawling away," whispered Mark excitedly.

"Yes, sir. He's got it," replied the driver; "but I would keep quiet,
or we may bring him back to pay us."

For some minutes no one spoke, while the fire was freshly fed by the
black, who looked almost diabolical as he danced about it in a strange
way, ending by approaching the group, who crouched behind some bushes,
which would have made but a frail breastwork had one of the lions
charged.

A quarter of an hour must have elapsed before anyone spoke again, and
during that time the crackling of the burning wood, which now lit up a
wide circle, was the only sound that was heard.

"Do you think we may move now, Denham?" said the doctor. "Or would you
fire a few more charges?"

"I don't want to waste powder and shot, sir, and I think they are all
gone. Here, Mak, my lad, lions gone?"

The black made no reply, but came cautiously close up and listened.

"Come," he said, and in obedience to his brief command Buck, the doctor,
and Bob Bacon ranged themselves with presented rifles on either side,
and, not to be outdone, the two boys ran forward to join the advancing
party as well.

The spo