to come near us when he sees so many people,"
said David; "but we will be on our guard against his approach."

I was immediately lifted on to the palanquin, and Jack and Timbo carried
me up towards the house. All hands loaded themselves at the same time
with birds, and Kate and Bella fastened as many at their backs as they
could carry. Even then they were obliged to leave many behind for a
second trip. David and Leo walked by the side of Bella, while Natty led
the way. We had got halfway up the hill, when, from a thicket at some
distance, a loud roar proceeded, and we saw the head of an enormous lion
appearing from among the bushes.

"Roar away, old fellow," cried Jack. "It will be the worse for you if
you come here."

"Shall I fire? I might kill him," said David.

"No, massa, no," answered Timbo. "If you hit him he come on in great
rage. He now only angry because he dare not come near. Each time he
roar we roar back, and dat keep him away;" and Timbo setting the
example, the whole party set up a loud shout, with the exception of
Kate. Little Bella, however, made her shrill voice distinctly heard.
For my own part, I could not have attempted to shout. It showed me how
prostrate I had been, for even now I had difficulty in slightly raising
my voice.

Our shouting brought Chico to the door. As soon as he saw us he came
hopping down the hill; but the next time the lion roared he gave a
spring backwards, and turning round, rushed back into the hut.

"We must go down and warn the captain," said Jack; "for if he does not
know that the lion is in the neighbourhood, the beast may surprise him;
and, at all events, he will want assistance in bringing up the birds."

"We will go, then," said Leo and Natty; and they set off together.

David, in the meantime, secured our cattle-pen, which probably had
attracted the lion to the spot. At each side of the entrance a circular
hut had been built, answering the purpose of the gateway towers of a
castle. Igubo and his two boys occupied one of them, and Jack and Timbo
the other. They were built of reeds closely bound together, and the
doors were of the same material. These were strong enough to resist the
attack of any wild beast, and were always kept closely shut at night. I
felt somewhat tired after my day's excursion; but some supper my kind
cousins soon prepared restored my strength. They had got ready a more
substantial meal for Stanley and his attendants, who