e to another nest, I think I
could manage to carry it in this fashion," I said to my little
conductor, who seemed to understand me, and off he flew as merrily as
before. This time he did not appear quite so steady in his course.
Suddenly he made his way towards a small wood which I saw in the
distance. I followed him, and every now and then he stopped and looked
back to see if I was coming. It was a tiring walk, for the sun struck
down with unusual heat after the rain, and I began to think that I
should have acted more wisely had I returned at once with my sweet
stores. Still, I did not wish to disappoint the honey-bird, as I was in
hopes he would on another day be on the look-out for me, and help me to
get a further quantity when we might need it.

At last the wood was reached, when, making his way into it, I saw him
pitch on a bough as before; but the trees were small, and I could see
none round likely to contain a cavity in which bees would have formed a
nest. Still, I thought I would examine the spot, supposing that perhaps
some decayed trunk of a fallen tree might lie beneath. I was advancing
rapidly, when, to my horror, I saw before me a pair of glaring eyes, and
there stood within the thicket an enormous lion with a huge mane. The
king of beasts had just aroused himself apparently from his noonday
rest, and was stretching himself, wondering who the bold intruder could
be who had ventured into his domains. I gazed at the lion, and the lion
gazed at me. I know I did not like the appearance of the monstrous
brute. My rifle was loaded with ball, but still I dreaded lest, should
I fire and not kill him outright, he might yet attack me. I therefore,
keeping my face towards him, slowly retired, hoping earnestly that he
would go to sleep again, and allow me to retreat unmolested. Still,
from his attitude, I had some doubts whether or not he was going to
spring at me. I dared not take my eye off him, for I knew that my best
prospect of escaping was to continue facing him boldly. I suspect that
he had gone into the wood to indulge in a nap, after having taken a full
meal off some unfortunate gnu or antelope. I was very thankful when I
at length managed to get to the edge of the wood without stumbling. I
continued to retreat backwards, however, after this, fearing lest the
lion might pounce out upon me. Every moment I expected to see his
enormous head and shaggy mane appear amid the bushes. It would have
b