e was a halt for breakfast at a spot
selected by the black Illaka, and he looked on while Dan started a fire
with a small supply of wood. Dance fetched water from a little stream
that ran gurgling by the place, which was evidently in regular use for
camping. Bob, after picketing the ponies so that they could browse,
went off and brought back more wood, and there with everything looking
bright and picturesque in the morning sun, so well had the doctor
arranged matters that Mark declared that only one thing was wanting to
have made it the most delicious breakfast they had ever had in their
lives.

"Why, what did you want, boy?" said Sir James.

"We ought to have shot some birds of some kind, father, to have cooked."

"Oh, never mind the birds. We will have them for dinner," said Sir
James merrily.

"If we shoot them," said the doctor. "Here, Dan, give me another mug of
coffee, and then look thoroughly well after yourself."

Only about an hour was spent before a fresh start was made, and then the
journey was resumed in the most orderly way and kept on till noon, when
water was reached at a curve of the little river along which the track
led through a dense grove of umbrageous trees. Here there was ample
pasture for the cattle, which fed and rested in the shade for a good
three hours in the hottest part of the day, while an abundant meal was
prepared, after which a deliberate start was made by the well refreshed
party.

Then followed a long, slow bullock march till quite early evening, and
again the black led them to a beautiful woodland patch at a place where
the river whose banks they were following showed a good shallow
crossing, another display of traces proving that it was a customary
halting-place on the way to some kraal.

Here the great creaking waggons were drawn up, a fire was made and the
men busied themselves looking after the cattle and the ponies, a capital
meal was prepared, but without any addition being made by rifle or gun;
and just at dark, by the light of the twinkling lanterns, preparations
began for passing the night.

"I say, Mark, you have to keep the watch," said Dean. "Don't you feel
proud?"

"Not a bit," said Mark. "Our black chap seems to be doing that. Look
at him parading up and down there with his spear over his shoulder just
as if he was the grand boss of it all and we were his men."

Just then he strode up to where the boys were talking.

"Lions?" said Mark, in a questi