Page 138 - Adventures in Africa

But every thicket round was well beaten, and no

lion appeared, At last J heard Harry laughing
heartily, and saw him pointing to the opposite side

of the pool, ■where I caught sight of a big frog poking
his head above the reeds. There could be no doubt
of it. Though he could not swell himself to the size

of a lion, Mr, Bullfrog had managed to imitate very
closely his voice, so we returned to camp feeling

somewhat ashamed of ourselvesT Harry every now
and then giving way to a burst of laughter.
In the open country, where little shelter is to be

found, lions are not often to be met with, and as they
can be seen long before they approach, no danger is

to be apprehended from them. One of the men who
had remained behind followed, bringing one of the
bull-frogs which he had captured in the pool. The

body, which we measured, was nine inches in length,
by five and a half wide; and the hind legs, from toe
to toe, eighteen inches. On being cut open a young

bird which it had lately swallowed was found in its
inside.

I, having completely recovered the use of my foot,
arranged with II any that we should make another
expedition together in search of game. W e agreed

that Jan should accompany us, and just as we were
starting flans offered to go. W e would rather have
dispensed with his company, as he was not a favourite

with either of us. Mr, Welboum, my uncle, Toko,
and two or three Makololos were to set off in another

direction. They charged us not to go beyond a vlci
or pool, which we had heard of from the MakololoSj
about twelve miles to the northward.