Page 60 - Adventures in Africa

he observed; “ but as it is, we must content ourselves
with some of the giraffe's flesh, which we shall find

palatable enough for want of better.”
Drawing his knife, he at once commenced opera­
tions on the giraffe. W e soon, having secured as

much of the meat as we could require, ran a couple
of sticks through it and started off to return to the
camp.

Darkness, however, came down upon us before we
had gone far ; still, we hoped to be able to find our

way. Scarcely, however, had the sun set, when the
mutterings and roars of lion^ saluted our ears ; and of
course we had the uncomfortable feeling that at any

moment one of them might spring out on us. W e
cast many an anxious glance round, and kept our
rifles in our hands ready for instant use, hoping that

we should have time to see a lion before he was upon
us. We had no fear at present of human foes, as the
country through which we were travelling was unin­

habited ; though we might fall in with hunting parties^
who were, however, likely to prove friendly. Besides

lions, there was a possibility of our encountering
hyaenas, leopards, and wolves, which, when hunting in
packs,areas dangerous as in other parts of the world.

M y uncle made me go ahead, while he kt^pt five or
six paces behind, so that, should a lion spring out at

me, he might be ready to come to my assistance. W e
kept shouting too, to scare aw^ay any of the brutes we
most dreaded; for, savage as is the lion, he is a

cowardly animal except when pressed by hunger.
Fortunately the sky was clear, and the stars shining
out brightly enabled us to steer our course by them ;