oned us. The Frau,
however, grasped the gun, evidently intending to do battle. At that
instant Merlin's loud bark was heard, and we saw him tearing along over
the sand towards us. The mias stopped to look at him, seeming to think
him a more dangerous antagonist than were we three females and our sick
companion. Merlin caught sight of the mias, and bounded towards him. I
now began to fear for our four-footed friend, for I knew the power of
the creature, and how one grasp of its strong hands would in an instant
destroy the dog. Just, however, before Merlin reached it, loud shouts
were heard, and we saw coming round the point of the rock several of our
friends with guns in their hands, evidently understanding that we were
in danger. Mr Tarbox, the boatswain, led the way, followed by Mr
Hooker and Potto Jumbo. The mias now turned round and moved towards the
dog, but Merlin was too sagacious to allow himself to be caught, and
when almost within the creature's reach he bounded on one side, and then
wheeled off, still barking, with the evident intention of drawing it
away from us. How thankful I felt when I saw him do so, for his purpose
was answered. The creature followed him, making springs which at each
bound almost brought it up to him; but on every occasion the dog nimbly
avoided it, till he had brought it within range of the boatswain's
musket. The mias, exasperated by disappointment, made two or three
successive springs towards the dog, which brought it still nearer to our
friends. The boatswain fired, when the creature seemed to discover, for
the first time, how near it was to its enemies. The ball took effect
upon its shoulder. We saw it stand upright, stretching out its huge
arms as if to grasp hold of them and tear them to pieces; but at that
instant Mr Hooker stopped and levelled his gun, and the savage monster
rolled over on the sand. Still it was not dead, and we were even yet
afraid our friends might be injured; but the boatswain stopping,
reloaded his gun, and Potto Jumbo rushing in with a spear thrust it at
the creature. There was another report, and we knew that we were
perfectly safe.

How thankful I felt that we had escaped, for I cannot describe
thoroughly how fearfully alarmed we were. There is something so
dreadful in the appearance of those huge baboons. Our friends arriving,
proposed carrying Oliver into the shade; but we told them that we had
seen another mias and a young one, on whi