Once more our adventurers turned their faces homeward.
Contrary to their expectations, the young camelopards caused them but
little trouble. A single rheim attached to the neck of each was
sufficient to lead them along.
The manner in which both had been captured, had taught them in their
first lesson, that man's will was superior to their own; and they were
thenceforth either too cunning or too silly to resist it.
Before driving them far along the road, there would have been little
danger of their straying, even if left free to do so. Like tame
elephants, they knew neither their own strength nor swiftness, and soon
became as easily managed as any of the horses or horned cattle.
For several days no incident worthy of notice occurred, nor did our
adventurers much desire that any should. They had obtained all they
required; and even Groot Willem, before so enthusiastically fond of
hunting, would not have turned aside to kill the finest koodoo that ever
trod the plains of Africa, unless its flesh had been absolutely wanted
for food.
After a journey of two more weeks, Swartboy found himself in a land
inhabited by many of his countrymen,--the Bushmen. It was a land he had
long been looking forward to visit, and with pleasant anticipations,--
not from any sunny memory of youthful joy, but merely from that
prejudice in favour of native land, natural to all mankind. He had ever
represented to his young masters that the Bushmen were a race of noble
warriors and hunters,--that they were kind, hospitable, intelligent, and
in every respect superior to the countrymen of his rival Congo.
They were now in a country inhabited by several wandering tribes of
these people, and where opportunities might not be wanting to test the
truth of Swartboy's assertions.
One soon presented itself. Early one afternoon they arrived at a
settlement of Bushmen,--a kraal of their kind, containing about fifty
families. On learning that they would have a long distance to travel,
before finding a place to encamp, our adventurers resolved to stay by
the Bushmen's village for the night.
The first exhibition given of the hospitality Swartboy had boasted of
was by the whole tribe begging for tobacco, spirits, clothing, and
everything else the travellers chanced to possess; while the only
consideration they could give in return was the permission to draw water
from a pool in the neighbourhood of their kraal.
During the night a young heifer, belonging to the headman of the
village, was carried off by a lion; and in the morning two of the
natives were ordered to follow the beast and destroy it. The hunters
had often heard of the manner in which the Bushmen kill lions; and,
anxious to see the feat performed, they obtained permission to accompany
the two men on their expedition.
The only implements carried by the Bushmen for the destruction of the
king of beasts were a buffalo robe, a small bow, and some poisoned
arrows, with which each was provided.
The lion was traced to a grove of trees, about a mile and a half from
the kraal. To this place our adventurers proceeded, curious to see a
lion die under the effects of a wound given by a tiny arrow, as also to
learn how the Bushmen would approach such a dangerous creature near
enough to use such a weapon.
Gorged with its repast, there was no difficulty in getting near the
lion. As the Bushmen anticipated, the fierce brute was enjoying a sound
slumber.
Silently the two drew near--so near as almost to touch the sleeping
monster.
The spectators, who had stopped at some distance off, dismounted from
their horses, and, with rifles ready for instant use, at a few yards
behind the Bushmen, followed the latter, whose courage they could not
help admiring.
Only one of the Bushmen drew his bow. The other holding his buffalo
robe spread out upon both hands, went nearer to the lion than the one
who was to inflict the mortal wound.
There was a moment of intense interest. In one second the lion could
have tossed the bodies of the two little men, crushed and mangled, to
the earth.
In another moment the tiny arrow was seen sticking in the monster's huge
side between two of the ribs. Just as the fierce brute was springing to
his feet with a loud growl,--just as he had caught a glimpse of the
human face,--the buffalo skin was flung over its head.
He ran backwards, turned hastily around, and disengaged himself from the
robe; and then, astonished at the incomprehensible encounter, fled
without casting another glance behind!
So far as destroying him was concerned, the task of the Bushmen was
accomplished. The poisoned arrow had entered the animal's flesh, and
they knew he was as sure to die as if a cannon-ball had carried off his
head.
But the Bushmen had still something to do. They must carry back to
their chief the paws of the lion, as proof that they had accomplished
the errand on which they had been despatched. They must follow the lion
until he fell; and, curious to witness the result, our adventurers
followed them.
Slowly at first, and with an apparent show of unconcern, the lion had
moved away, though gradually increasing his speed.
The arrow could not have done much more than penetrate his thick hide;
and, fearing that he might not die, Willem expressed some regret that he
had not given the brute a bullet from his roer.
"I am very glad you did not," exclaimed Hans, on hearing Willem's
remark. "You would have spoilt all our interest in the pursuit. I want
to see the effect of their poisoned arrow, and learn with my own eyes if
a lion can be so easily killed."
The wounded animal retreated for about a mile, then stopped and
commenced roaring loudly. Something was evidently amiss with him, as he
was seen turning as upon a pivot, and otherwise acting in a very
eccentric manner.
The poison was beginning to do its work, and each moment the agony of
the animal seemed to be on the increase. He laid himself down and
rolled over and over; he then reared himself upon his hind legs, all the
while roaring like mad. Once he appeared to stand upon his head. After
a time he attacked a tree growing near, and, tearing the bark both with
claws and teeth, left the branches stained with his blood. He seemed as
if he wished to rend the whole world!
Never had our adventurers, in all their hunting experience, been
witnesses to such terrific death-struggles.
The sufferings of the great beast were frightful to behold, and awakened
within the spectators a feeling of pity. They would have released it
from its misery by a shot, had they not been desirous to learn all they
could of the effects of the poison.
From the time the lion ceased to retreat, till the moment when he ceased
to live, about fifteen minutes elapsed. During that time the spectators
saw a greater variety of acrobatic feats than they had ever witnessed in
one scene before. As soon as the creature was declared dead, the
Bushmen cut off its paws and carried them back to the kraal.