did it appear. Even were there nothing
to apprehend from the attacks of wild beasts, he was too weak to obtain
even water for himself, and we had no means of preserving the food I
obtained for any length of time. I should not have cared so much for
myself, but I felt all the time how alarmed our friends would be on our
account, besides which I felt very anxious to go in search of Leo and
his companion. We had reason to be thankful that we were in so
sheltered a spot, as for several days in succession violent storms burst
over us, heavy downfalls of rain flooding the lower ground in our
neighbourhood.

My honey-bird led me in the interval to more bees' nests, and I got an
ample supply of mushrooms; but they, as may be supposed, were not
sufficient to support life. The birds, getting an abundance of water
elsewhere, no longer visited the pool, and I became greatly afraid of
starving.

One day I had gone to the ant-hill in search of mushrooms, when I saw a
troop of gnus coming across the plain. As they advanced towards me I
remained stationary, hiding myself from them by the hill. I got my
rifle ready to fire, earnestly hoping that my aim would be steady. On
came the herd, frisking and prancing, till they got within thirty yards
of where I lay concealed. They scented danger, I fancied, for they
began to look about, and seemed ready to dart off in an opposite
direction. I selected the nearest, and fired. I could scarcely say how
delighted I was when over rolled the creature. He got up, however, and
even then would, I was afraid, escape me. I dashed forward, and drawing
my axe, struck him on one of the hind-legs. Down he fell, and in
another instant I had deprived him of life. I now understood the
feelings of a famished hunter. Without a moment's delay I began to cut
up the animal, and loaded myself with as much of the best parts of the
meat as I could carry. The remainder I left for the birds and beasts of
prey, and hurried back with my prize to Natty. I selected as much as I
thought we could consume while it remained eatable. The rest I cut into
thin strips, and hung them up to the boughs outside our cavern. Natty
meantime made up a fire, with which we roasted a good portion. I felt
no longer surprised at the way I had seen the blacks feed, so ravenous
did the smell of the roasted meat make me.

"Don't you think that if we were to smoke some flesh it would keep
longer?" observed Natty.

I followed