On re-entering the hut I found that Natty was still sleeping; but his
slumbers were greatly troubled, and he had evidently much fever on him.
Oh, how I wished that David had been with us; for, with all my anxiety,
I did not know how to treat him. One thing was certain, he was utterly
unable to travel. I was unwilling even to go out of sight of the hut,
lest some wild beast might in the meantime come near it. I must do so,
however, before long, I saw; for our slender stock of water was already
almost exhausted, and cold water, I felt sure, was absolutely necessary
for him. In what direction I was most likely to find it I could not
tell. The last stream we crossed was some distance back, and I might
have to go a long way across the plain before coming to another; indeed,
in no direction did the appearance of the country indicate a stream or
fountain. This thought caused me the greatest anxiety. I would have
endured any amount of thirst, I thought, rather than not give Natty what
he required. I remembered that the orphan boy was committed to my
charge by his father, and as a father would treat his son, so was I
bound to treat him.
After sitting by his side for some time and eating a slender breakfast,
I took my gun and walked about the hut, now going in one direction, now
in the other, in the hope of finding indications of water. Perhaps, I
thought, I may kill a parrot or pigeon, or some other bird, which may be
more palatable to him than stronger meat. I went further and further,
but still could find no signs of water. While I was at the furthest
point the dread seized me, that although the hut was in sight some
creature might have stolen in, and I hurried back, dreading to find my
fears realised. Not till I had entered the hut and knelt down by his
side was I satisfied that he was safe. He was still sleeping, and I
hoped he might thereby recover his strength. After sitting for some
time by his side, I again got up and cut a number of boughs. These I
stuck in round the entrance, so that no creature could possibly get in.
I now ventured to go rather further from the hut, but could not bring
myself to lose sight of the tree under which it was situated. I
continued looking about for birds; for though I saw some at a distance,
I could not get near enough to be certain of a shot; and as I said
before, I could not venture to throw any of my ammunition away. I was
beginning to feel very thirsty, and had recourse to chewing leaves,
hoping that it would relieve me. It had, however, but little effect.
At last, greatly out of spirits, I returned to the hut. Natty awoke as
I pulled aside the boughs. He scarcely seemed to know me, however. I
gave him a little water, and I thought, after taking it, he looked
rather better, so I gave him more. I had been sitting by his side for
some time, when I heard him whisper--"You had better go on, Andrew; I
will follow by-and-by, but do not stop for me."
"That will never do," I answered, thankful to hear him speak. "You will
get well shortly, and then we will go on together."
"I will try to go with you now," he said, trying to rise; but he sank
back immediately, unable to lift himself from the ground. He uttered a
sigh on discovering his weakness.
I passed the remainder of the day as I had the commencement. As I saw
evening approaching I collected a large supply of broken branches to
serve as firewood, and then made up a semicircular heap, which I
intended to keep blazing all the night. I was sorry that I had not
slept during the day, that I might the more easily keep awake while on
my watch. I took some supper, though, in consequence of the thirst from
which I was suffering, I felt little disposed to eat; but still I was
unwilling to exhaust our water by drinking more than a few drops. I
knew that the next day I must inevitably go in search of some. My young
companion's life might depend upon my finding it. To avoid the risk of
being surprised should I fall asleep, after I had lighted the fire and
seen that it blazed up thoroughly, I took my seat inside the hut, and
secured the boughs as before. In spite of my resolution to keep awake,
I had not been seated on the ground more than an hour or so before I
felt sleep stealing over me. At length I tried to arouse myself. I was
completely overpowered, though I still retained a consciousness of where
I was, and of the necessity of being on my guard. Suddenly I awoke,
feeling an undefined dread. I could hear Natty breathing, but all was
dark inside the hut. On looking out I discovered that I must have been
asleep for some time, for the fire was entirely extinguished. I sprang
up, leaving my gun on the ground. My first impulse was to re-light the
fire. I hurriedly felt about for the sticks, which I had placed on one
side, and carried them to the spot where the fire had been burning. I
placed them as before in a semicircle. Finding that I could not strike
the light in the open air, I retired into the hut to do so. Whilst thus
employed I fancied I heard some creature moving over the ground. I got
the match lighted, and then set fire to the bundle of twigs which I had
collected. With these in my hand, I went to the pile of wood. I tried
to light it. At last I set it on fire in one place. I was then moving
round to another, when I saw at about twenty paces off a dark object
creeping slowly towards me. On it came; and while blowing away at the
wood to cause it to ignite, I began to distinguish the outlines of a
huge lion. In a few seconds the savage monster might be upon me.
Already he was near enough, I thought, to make his spring with fatal
effect. I knew that my chief safety would depend on the fire blazing up
quickly. Taking the torch, therefore, and mustering all the nerve I
possessed, I tried to light the pile at another spot between the two
which were already beginning to burn, though feebly. Now I bent down
and blew, now looked up towards the lion. To my horror, I saw him
crouching down, and slowly creeping towards me. I knew he was doing so
preparatory to making his tremendous spring. Just then a breeze fanned
my cheek. It came stronger and stronger, and up blazed the fire. The
lion stopped. Giving a stir to the fire as I passed along it, I rushed
back to my hut and seized my gun. As the fire blazed up the monster
gave a tremendous roar of rage and disappointment, but still held his
ground. The sound awoke Natty, who asked, in a trembling voice, what
was the matter. "Remain quiet," I answered. "We have an unwelcome
visitor, but I hope to drive him away." Again the lion roared and
lashed his tail, but he could not bring himself to dash through the
fire, though he must have seen me moving about on the other side of it.
I stood up with my gun, which I had loaded with a bullet, hoping to hit
him should he make a spring. Still he did not move; and remembering the
effects of my shouts the night before, I suddenly rushed towards the
fire, kicking it about, so as to make the flames rise up more briskly
than before, and at the same time shouting out at the top of my voice.
The lion roared in return. The louder he roared, the more wildly I
shouted and shrieked; and then, seizing a number of burning sticks, I
sprang over the fire towards him. The effect was satisfactory, for,
turning round, away he bounded into the darkness, whilst I shouted out,
"Victory! victory!" I had heard that if lions are thus met by a bold
front, they often prove cowardly; and I hoped, therefore, that my
visitor would not return. I now made up the fire, and went back to
Natty. I found him trembling with alarm, but in other respects far more
like himself than he had been all the day. This raised my hopes of his
recovery. I gave him a little water and a few mouthfuls of cassava; and
I was glad to find that in a short time he again dropped off to sleep.
As may be supposed, I had no inclination, after my encounter with the
lion, again to close my eyes. Should Natty be better in the morning, I
resolved to start off at an early hour in search of water. I was
therefore thankful when the cheering light of day again returned. I
gave Natty some more food, and almost the last drops of water we
possessed. I had a small drinking-cup; into this I poured the
remainder, and told him to husband it carefully.
"I must go out, Natty, and try and find some more," I said. "I will
imprison you as securely as I can, and you must try to wait patiently
till I return. I will not be absent a moment longer than I can help."
Natty looked anxiously up at me. "Is it absolutely necessary?" he
asked.
"Yes, indeed," I said; "but I hope that before long I shall find what we
want, and in a day or two you will be able to accompany me home."
"I will try to get well; but it is not my fault, Andrew. I would walk
if I could," he said, in a faint tone.
I was not content with merely closing the entrance, but getting some
strong vines, I intertwined them round the walls and then got some large
boughs, and placed them over the whole building. I trusted that thus no
animal could possibly enter. I knew that sufficient air would be
obtained through the roof. All that I could do was to pray, for his
sake and my own, that I might return in safety to him.
"Good-bye, Natty," I said, when I had finished the work. "Keep up your
spirits, my boy. I hope soon to be back; but if I do not come as
quickly as you expect, do not be alarmed. I may have to go some way for
water."
My wisest course perhaps was to have gone back to the last stream we had
passed; but then I could not have returned the same night to our hut,
and what would poor Natty have done all that time without me? I
therefore determined to push on in an opposite direction, hoping that I
might meet with a fountain or rivulet. On and on I went. The sun, as
he rose in the sky, grew hotter and hotter. I had not a drop of water
to cool my dry tongue. I had never before really known the feeling of
want of water. I had been very thirsty; but now the whole inside of my
mouth and throat seemed to consist of a dry horny substance, or as if I
had swallowed some of the contents of a dust-bin. Still on and on I
went. I hoped by continuing in a direct course that I should obtain
water more speedily.
A considerable portion of the day had passed away. The sun had attained
its greatest heat, when I thought I saw in the distance a line of trees,
which I felt sure indicated the presence of water. I pushed on more
eagerly, but as I advanced they changed their outline, and suddenly
disappeared. All I could see before me was a low line of grass and
bushes, which had evidently been magnified by a mirage into the
proportion of lofty trees. I went on, but continued to be deceived time
after time in the same way. In every direction the mirage danced on the
plain. I found that in reality the range of my vision was restricted to
a very moderate distance. Suddenly a herd of animals appeared, lifted
completely up in the air. They were deer of some species. I hoped by
killing one that I might somewhat quench my raging thirst with its
blood, but before I had got up to where I had seen them they had
scampered off. At length I saw what I felt sure was a pool of water.
Eagerly I hurried towards it. It was a long way off, I thought; but I
was willing to go any distance for the wished-for fluid, hoping that my
sufferings would find relief, and that I might return before nightfall
to my young companion. I was confirmed in my opinion by catching sight
of several gnus going in the same direction. "They are going there to
drink," I thought; and I felt ready even to encounter lions or any other
savage beasts for the sake of the water. The gnus did not perceive me,
as they were to windward. There was, however, so little wind that I had
to wet my finger and hold it up to discover the point from which it
came. I hoped that I should be able to get close up to the animals.
Now they stopped and fed, now they moved on again slowly. Presently I
saw them stop, when they began switching their tails, and sniffing the
air, and scraping the earth impatiently with their hoofs. As I was
concealed by the ground, which here was sufficiently uneven for the
purpose, I did not think that they could have discovered me. Presently
I was startled by the fierce growl of some animal at no great distance.
I stopped; and looking round, I saw to my horror a huge lion and lioness
at a short way off, just above me. It was evident that they had been
following the gnus, who had only at that instant begun to suspect their
presence. The lion must at the same time have discovered me, and
uttered the roar which I had heard, while his companion was still
creeping on after the gnus. I stopped and knelt down, holding my rifle
ready to fire should the lion approach me. Still there was the lioness,
and being sure that the report of my gun would attract her even should I
kill the lion, I determined not to fire till it was absolutely
necessary. The growl which the lion uttered at seeing me must have been
heard by the gnus, which now set off at a rapid pace to escape from
their pursuers. The lioness darted forward in pursuit, and the lion,
uttering a few more savage roars at me, turned round and followed her.
I was free from their company for the moment, but the knowledge that
they were in the neighbourhood added greatly to my anxiety. I could not
help fearing, too, that they or others might find their way to poor
Natty's hut during my absence. I had for the moment forgotten my
thirst, but now again the sufferings I had been enduring returned, and I
turned my eyes once more towards the spot where I had seen the pond.
Both the gnus and the lions had disappeared. I went on, thinking that I
must soon reach the water. After hurrying on till I felt ready to drop,
I found myself standing on an extent of hard-baked earth, while the
glittering pool I had hoped to reach had disappeared. I looked round.
Similar pools appeared in various places on the very ground I had come
over. I knew therefore that they were but deceptions caused by the
mirage. What had become of the lions I could not tell. I only hoped
that the gnus had led them a long chase, and that they were far away
from me.
Wearied out, I sat down under the shade of a rock, which just sheltered
my head and shoulders. My spirits were sinking. I began to fear that I
had death alone to expect as a termination to my sufferings. And poor
Natty, he would die too; for weak from fever, and unable to help
himself, he must inevitably be starved. "I will go back and die with
him," I exclaimed. "While a particle of strength remains, I will push
on. I cannot let him suffer alone!" While these thoughts were passing
through my mind, I saw some birds flying through the air, uttering as
they went a soft melodious cry, which sounded somewhat like "Pretty
dear! pretty dear!" I watched them anxiously. They were too far off
for me to hit them, but I judged from their flight that they were a
species of partridge which I had before seen. They came from the
south-east, directing their course towards the north-west. Presently I
observed, as I watched them anxiously, that they neared the ground, and
then seemed to me settling down at no great distance off.
I remembered having heard that springs have been discovered by
travellers in the desert by watching the flight of birds, and I hoped
that these were on their way to some fountain. I arose, and hurried on
as fast as my weakness would allow in the direction they had taken.
Still I could not help dreading that I might be again disappointed. I
caught sight at length of some rocks, on the other side of which they
had disappeared. The rocks rose high above the dry, hard ground. As
yet there was no indication of water. My heart sunk within me, but I
persevered. I had not strength to climb the rocks, which rose high up
before me, but I circled round them. I got to the other side, when my
eyes were gladdened by the sight of green herbage and luxuriant shrubs,
which I knew delight in water. Hurrying on, I saw beneath the rocks a
calm, clear crystal pool. Oh, how delighted I felt! But on getting to
the edge I found that the water was too far below me to be easily
reached. I scrambled along the rocks, till at length I discovered a
spot which appeared not more than a foot or two above the water. I
reached it at length, and throwing myself on the ground, bent over till
I could clip my hands in the pure liquid. I eagerly lapped it up. I
felt that I could never drink enough. By degrees my parched tongue and
mouth began to feel cool, and I rose like another person. After resting
a few minutes, I filled my water-bottle. Evening was approaching, but I
could not bear the thought of leaving Natty all the night without
attempting to return to him. Once more I drank my fill. While
drinking, I saw several other flights of birds arrive at the water. A
covey of them pitched thickly on a rock near me. They would afford
valuable nourishment to my young friend. I withdrew the bullet from my
rifle and loaded it with small shot. It was an ungrateful act I was
about to perpetrate, I confess; I thought so even at the time. The
birds, too, seemed fearless of me. I raised my gun and fired. Greatly
to my delight, I saw three lying on the rock, and two others fluttering
near. I hurried forward to secure them. Scarcely had I done so when,
looking round, I saw a lion and lioness--probably the same which had
pursued the gnus--approaching the pool. Strange to say, I felt but
little fear of them. Still I thought it unwise to stand in their path
should they be on their way to drink, as I had no doubt they were. I
accordingly scrambled along the rock to a high point, whence I could
look down upon them as they passed. On seeing me they stopped, and
seemed to be consulting together whether they should attack me. "I will
be ready for you, old fellows," I said aloud, as I reloaded my rifle and
carefully rammed down the bullet. "If you do not interfere with me, I
will let you enjoy your draught unmolested; but if you attack me, look
out for the consequences--Ha! ha! ha!" My own voice struck my ear as
strangely loud and wild. The effect was to make the lions decide on
letting me alone; and while they went on towards the water, I scrambled
down from the rock, and began to make the best of my way towards where I
had left Natty.
I hurried on, though I scarcely expected to reach the hut before dark.
Still I hoped that even at night I might find my way. I will not say
that I was very sanguine about it, as the mirage had deceived me, and
often made objects appeal very different to what they really were. The
sun in a short time sunk behind me. Still, as long as I could move over
the ground, I determined to persevere. I was keeping, I believed, in a
direct line. At length the stars came out, and the moon rose and shed
her pale light over the scene. I knew that lions and other wild beasts
will seldom attack a person while the moon is shining. This encouraged
me to proceed. The stars, whose brilliancy even the moon could scarcely
dim, assisted me in steering my course. I own, however, that now and
then I cast an anxious look over my shoulder, lest the lion and the
lioness might be following me. Where the ground was open I hoped that I
might be able to discover them, should they approach; but in some places
it was rocky, scattered over with thick bushes, within which beasts of
prey might lurk. I was somewhat heavily laden, with my water-bottle and
birds. While suffering from thirst I had no inclination to eat, but now
I began to feel the pangs of hunger, and my knees trembled from the
exertion I had been for so long making. I therefore sat down with my
back against a tree to rest, and to eat the few mouthfuls I had in my
pocket. I scarcely knew till then how tired I was. Anxious as I was to
get on, I yet could not help indulging in a short rest. "I shall be
able to move the faster after it," I thought to myself. Whilst thus
sitting and meditating, what was my dismay to see the two lions stalk
slowly up to me, while behind them appeared a vast troop of the savage
dogs I had encountered on the previous night! I felt spell-bound--
unable to fly, or even to move. The lions whisked their tails and
ground their teeth as they uttered low savage growls, while the dogs
kept barking and yelping behind them. Nearer and nearer they drew. In
vain I tried to lift my rifle and have one shot for my life. No; I
could not even do that. There I sat. In another moment their sharp
fangs would be planted in my throat. Suddenly I gave a start. The
whole panorama of savage eyes and the two central monsters disappeared,
and to my infinite relief I found that I had been asleep, and that the
whole was a phantom of my brain. I really think I must have slept some
time, for after I had recovered from the alarm into which my dream had
thrown me, I felt sufficiently strong to resume my journey. As long as
the moon shone, it was far pleasanter travelling at night than in the
day. Again I went on, but still I could not help acknowledging to
myself that I might very likely after all not be on the right road.
Still I should not gain it by hesitation, and I tried to make up my mind
to be prepared for a disappointment, should I be mistaken. I was doing
my best; I could do no more. At length I saw in the distance a line of
dark trees, which I hoped was the wood on the borders of which our hut
was situated. As I marked the outline, I stepped on with more elastic
tread, thinking of the delight my reappearance would give my poor young
companion. As I was thus walking on, I felt my foot sink into the
earth, and before I could recover myself I fell flat on my face. I
quickly sprang up, for the thought seized me that I might have stepped
into the hole of some snake, and that in another instant he might be
issuing out to attack me. I ran on for some paces, when I stopped and
looked back, but nothing appeared. Not till then did I discover that I
had sprained my ankle. It might be a slight matter under ordinary
circumstances, but, in my case, if it stopped my walking it might be
serious. It pained me considerably, still I found that I could walk. I
went on, but soon began to limp. There was no elasticity in my step
now. My great consolation was that I was near Natty, for I was sure the
wood I saw was that I had left in the morning. The pain had damped my
spirits, and I now began to fear that perhaps after all Natty had grown
worse, or that some wild beasts had found out our hut, and managed to
penetrate into the interior. I was wrong to allow these thoughts to
enter my mind, I know, but under my circumstances it was but natural.
At length I caught sight, under a tree, of what in the moonlight looked
like a mound. It was our hut; but just then I observed several objects
moving about round it, and as I drew near a loud barking and yelping
saluted my ears. I rushed forward. "Those brutes of dogs have found
out Natty!" I exclaimed. Even then I thought that I might be too late
to save him. Shouting out in a stern, strong voice, which I had found
successful before, I ordered them to depart, waving my gun with furious
gestures before me. The dogs saw me, and began to retreat; but some of
them, I thought, seemed to come out of the very hut itself. "Natty!
Natty!" I cried out, "are you safe? Tell me! oh, tell me!"
I got no answer, but the barking and yelping might have drowned Natty's
voice. I dashed frantically forward. I could not fire without the risk
of sending the ball through the hut I doubted, indeed, whether the sound
of my rifle would have much effect on them. The yelping, barking pack
retired as I advanced. "Natty, Natty, speak to me!" I again cried out.
My heart bounded with joy when a faint voice proceeded from within. "O
Andrew! have you really come? I was afraid you must have been killed."
"I am all safe," I answered; "but I must drive these brutes to a
distance before I come to you."
There was a good supply of sticks. I hastily drew them together, and
lighting a match, quickly had a brisk fire burning. The light and my
shouts finally drove off the pack, and I now ventured to open the
entrance to our hut. Natty was sitting up. He pointed to his mouth. I
hastily poured out some of the water, and gave him an ample draught; and
then I sank down on the ground, overcome with fatigue and the pain which
my sprained ankle gave me. I recovered sufficiently, however, to
exchange a few sentences with him, when he told me of the anxiety he had
been suffering, and of the dread he had had that the dogs would force
their way into the hut. I then briefly narrated my adventures. He
seemed, I thought, somewhat better. Having secured the entrance, I lay
down by his side, and, in spite of the pain I was suffering from, was
soon asleep.