uilding a
substantial hut. Having unloaded the zebra, I placed the packages under
my head as a pillow, keeping my rifle as usual by my side, and told
Mango that we would watch alternately during the night. I gave him the
first watch, with directions to call me after a couple of hours,
intending to allow him a longer rest than I took myself. I was awoke by
a loud roar sounding in my ears. It was the well-known voice of a lion.
I started up. So did Mango, for he had been asleep. A few glowing
embers of the fire alone remained. I had seized my rifle instinctively,
and with it in my hand looked around on every side. The ox stood near,
though trembling violently; but the little zebra was nowhere to be seen.
I caught sight, however, of the massive form of a lion bounding over
the ground. The zebra, I hoped, had escaped, though the lion might be
pursuing it, and I resolved to try and save the life of our little pet.
I fired, and believed that I had hit the savage brute, for it stopped
and growled more furiously than before. Meantime Mango was employed in
throwing sticks on the fire, blowing with might and main to make them
blaze up. The lion drew nearer. Again I fired, but missed. There
might be scarcely time to reload before the lion would be upon me. I
hurriedly began to do so. I never more eagerly rammed down a charge.
Still the lion came on. Mango piled on more sticks, and blew and blew
harder than ever, as if his existence depended on it. So, perhaps, it
did, for had the lion made a spring, and had I again missed him, Mango's
life must have been sacrificed. Just then the fire blazed up.
Fortunately the sticks were very dry. A few bounds would have brought
the savage brute up to us. I shouted, and so did Mango, with might and
main. I refrained, however, from firing till the lion had approached
nearer, for should I not kill him outright, he might, in spite of the
fire, rush towards us. On he came roaring, but slowly, afraid of the
flames. Once more he stopped. He dared not face them. Greatly to my
relief, he then turned round and moved off, roaring furiously. Fearing
that he might still pursue the zebra, which I hoped had escaped, and
might, after making a circuit, come back to us, I raised my rifle and
fired again. I fancied I could hear the thud of the bullet as it struck
the lion behind the shoulder. Fearful were the roars he uttered; but
defeated, he stalked off, evidently having had enough of