rst that it would be very
dangerous for me; now I see that it will be more dangerous for you.
Let's keep together."

"Do as I bid you," he replied sternly. "Now go on round, as if trying
to keep the fire between you and danger. Fire quickly if you have a
good chance, and don't miss. But first of all let's try the effect of a
firebrand or two in the direction you think you saw the brute."

He picked up a piece of blazing wood and gave it a whirl round his head.

The result was to bring a fierce roar from the wood close behind us, and
we involuntarily sprang to the other side of our fire.

"There's no knowing where to have the beast," muttered the doctor, as he
realised the cunning sneaking habits of our enemy.

As he spoke he stooped and picked up another blazing piece of wood, for
he had dropped the first to bring his gun to bear. Now, holding the gun
in his left hand, he gave the blazing wood a whirl round his head and
threw it in the direction from which the fierce roar had come.

To my horror and consternation it was answered by a savage yell, and
something charged out nearly to the fire but dashed back directly, so
quickly, indeed, that we had no time to get more than a sharp shot
apiece at the fierce creature.

"Load again quickly," whispered the doctor; and I obeyed him, listening
the while to the rustling crackling noise at a little distance.

"Do you think we hit it?" I said softly. I was afraid to speak aloud
lest it should bring down a charge upon us.

"I'm afraid not," he replied, as he reloaded and then stood scanning the
edge of the circle of light formed by the fire's glow.

There was nothing visible but what seemed to be a dark opening amongst
the trees, through which it appeared to me that our enemy must have
passed.

Then we waited, watching so excitedly for the next attack that the fire
was for the moment forgotten. Then, seeing the glow it cast become
less, we both seized upon armfuls of wood and threw them on, deadening
the flame so that the space around was comparatively dark.

That was the most anxious time of all, for, do what we would, the fire
sent forth huge volumes of smoke, but would not blaze. At any moment it
seemed that the great beast might take advantage of the gloom and spring
upon us, and we shook the ends of the burning branches and half-consumed
pieces of wood, but in vain. Instead of the light glow there was
comparative darkness, and in despair, as if again mov