thus be almost impregnable to the attacks of wild
animals. We yet further secured it by driving in stakes pointed at both
ends outside the belt, which thus answered the purpose of a dry ditch,
only it was more difficult even than a ditch would have been for
unprotected feet to cross over.

At daylight next morning we continued our work, and had made
considerable progress before the heat of the sun compelled us for a time
to knock off. We had three fires lighted in the centre of our yard, and
this probably prevented the lion making another attack, which he might
otherwise have done. I was now so far recovered that I was able to
accompany David and the boys on short shooting excursions. Although I
never took pleasure in slaughtering animals for mere sport, yet it was
necessary to kill them for the sake of supplying ourselves with food.
The hills above the house swarmed with rock-rabbits, with which we could
at all times plentifully supply our table. I had gone out the following
morning with the two boys, keeping, of course, a careful look-out, lest
a lion might still be in the neighbourhood, when Leo cried out, pointing
to a rock above us--

"See, see! what a curious lump of feathers is up there!"

"What you suppose to be a lump of feathers has, I suspect, a head and
wings and claws attached to them," said David. "If I mistake not, that
is a _bacha_, a sort of falcon. Probably he is on the look-out for
rock-rabbits, and he is hiding his head between his shoulders and
crouching down that they may not discover him, but his sharp eyes are
watching every movement of his prey. Before long, if we remain quiet,
we shall see him pounce down on one of them should they venture out of
their holes. The Dutch, I remember, call these rock-rabbits
_klipdachs_. Poor creatures, they have good reason to be on their guard
against the bacha. While he is there we are not likely to get a shot at
one, for, cunning as he is, depend upon it some of the older ones have
found out that he is in the neighbourhood."

We watched for some time. Now and then we saw a klipdach pop out of its
hole, but presently draw back again, having caught sight of its powerful
foe. Now another would come out, but hide away in its cave very
quickly. Still the bacha remained without moving. He knew that in time
the poor silly little klipdachs would grow careless, and, anxious for a
game at play, would get too far from their homes to skip back before he