hat, without seeing that
Chico was absent, they shoved off, and had already got to some little
distance when they discovered that we had left one of our company
behind. Chico, having filled his paws with fruit, ran down the bank.

"Hillo, old fellow!" exclaimed Jack, "we will come in for you."

The current, however, just then took the canoe's head, and we drifted
some way down before we could turn back. At that instant we saw a
ripple in the water, and presently the huge head of a crocodile was
projected above it. The monster darted forward; and poor Chico, before
he was aware of his danger, was seized by its huge jaws. In vain we
cried out and shrieked at the top of our voices. The crocodile had got
hold of its prey. Chico struggled, but he was as helpless as a mouse in
the fangs of a cat. "Oh, save him, save him!" shrieked out Bella; but
it was too late. Though the boys paddled with might and main, before
they reached the shore the crocodile sank beneath the surface, dragging
the poor ape with him. A little circle alone marked the spot where it
had gone down.

"There is one who will pay you off for that," cried Jack, looking into
the water as if in search of the crocodile. "When Igubo hears of it he
will be after you, depend on it."

We all felt sad at the loss of our pet, and much as we had enjoyed the
early part of the trip, it certainly spoiled the pleasure of the
remainder.

"Poor Chico!" exclaimed Natty every now and then. "I little thought you
would come to so untimely an end."

Bella cried outright, and Kate could scarcely restrain her feelings. We
now proceeded back to the landing-place, and Jack and the boys having
drawn up the canoe to the spot where she usually lay concealed, we
commenced our return home. My young cousins and Natty assisted me up
the hill. We had got to about half the distance, when a loud roar came
from the thicket I have before mentioned. "Roar away!" cried Jack, "you
will not frighten us." Bella, and even Kate, could not, however, help
trembling at the sound; indeed, there is something peculiarly terrific
in the cry of the lion in his native wilds. I trusted that he would
confine himself to roaring, and not attempt to approach nearer. The
boys and Jack looked to their guns.

"We will be ready for him if he dares to show his face," cried Jack.
"Now, you young gentlemen fire first, if he looks as if he was going to
attack us. I will keep my fire in case you miss.