It was a nervous thing to stand in front of a dozen or more lions and
hyenas bounding over the plain. I thought the ox would have bolted, in
spite of Mango's efforts to hold him. To fly would have been more
dangerous than standing still, so we remained firm, and shouted our
utmost. The moon, which had before been behind a cloud, came out
brightly, when the savage creatures, awed, if not terrified, by our
cries, separated as they approached us, and bounded off on either hand
into the wilds. The ox, recovering from his alarm, no longer refused to
move on.
Reaching the banks of the stream, we again cried out, hoping to attract
the attention of the travellers.
"Who are you? What is it you want?" shouted a voice from the other
side.
"Andrew Crawford and Leonard Hyslop with the black Mango. We want to
cross the river and join you," I shouted in return.
"Welcome! welcome! Move to the right! There is an easy passage. We
will go that way and show you. Captain Hyslop and several of his party
are here." The last words which reached my ears were the first certain
intimation I had that my cousin Stanley was in the camp near us. I
earnestly hoped that his sisters and David were there also. As we rode
along we heard a number of voices, and saw men with torches moving
rapidly along the side of the stream. Presently we came to a somewhat
wider part, where the banks were very low, and where I should have
expected to find a ford. At the same time several people were seen with
torches crossing it. We went on to meet them, Mango leading the ox,
which advanced without hesitation. We were already in the water when I
heard Stanley's voice.
"Andrew, my dear fellow, is it you? and have you really brought poor
Leo?" he exclaimed. "We had given you all up for lost!"
"I have brought him," I said; "but where is David?"
"He is in the camp; but having turned in, I suppose was not dressed in
time to join us," he replied.
We had not time to exchange many words while crossing the stream; but as
soon as we had got safe on dry ground I gave him a brief account of our
adventures, and expressed my anxiety to have Leo placed under David's
care without delay.
"And Kate and Bella!" I asked. "Are they with you, and well?"
"Yes, I am thankful to say so," he answered, "though they have had to go
through much hardship, no little danger, and great fatigue; indeed, I do
not know what would have occurred had not our friend Silva, and a party
he had collected, arrived sooner than we expected. He had fallen in
with a trader making an exploring expedition further north than any of
his calling have hitherto reached, and, offering him a handsome
remuneration, induced him to come on with his waggon and several good
horses, in the hope of meeting us. The trader--Donald Fraser by name, a
Scotchman--having got into this unknown region, would not consent to
proceed further, and was on the point of turning south again, when Silva
induced him to remain another week, while Chickango went on to try and
get tidings of us. We had, meantime, started south, and happily fell in
with him, when reduced to extremities, about two days' journey from the
camp. I am not surprised at our friend Donald's unwillingness to
proceed, for he had fallen in with some rough customers, who were more
likely to rob him of his goods than pay for them. However, by the
exertion of the diplomatic talents of our friend Silva, they got free,
and now, I am thankful to say, we are all well, and ready to march
southward. Kate and Bella have been dreadfully cut up about Leo's loss,
and yours, too, Andrew. But what has become of Natty? I hope the poor
boy is not dead?"