The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1900-09-03

nearer the fountains before VIC have a
chance of falling in with one OF the forest
monarchs. Keep away to the left, Num-
jala." he said. you might hit steinbok
or "A wajerbuck and supply our larder
for the next few days. Ny right hand
man is about the only native ] ever met
who has learned to shoot straight and
who has the keenness Of a hunter" added
North. Il picked him up at Colesberg
five or six years ago. His blood Is pretty
considerably mixed. ! fancy he has
dash of the Arab in him"
After North had joinol them Forester
made an effort to surmount the sort of
''farouche" depression in which he had
INDUCED to St. Maur's great discomfort
during the first part OF their journey and
ultimately succeeded in making himself
very agreeable. His agreeablity, how
ever was chiefly for North's benefit and
St Maur found 1t more amusing to talk
to Numjala. who understood a good deal
of English and spoke a little.
To this interesting acquaintance. there
fore. did the Hon. Tom pour forth much
information respecting sport in England.
especially at Bamboroush forest. to
which the African listened with an air OF
polite attention which gave St. Maur a
high opinion of his intelligence.
Before nightfall they reached a northern
spur of the range they had crossed in the
among dark savage looking rocks, adorn-
Cd nevertheless by tufts of lovely delicate
ferns. wherever a deposit of earth found
= ledge To lie on or a hollow to shelter in
burst forth a spring or fountain, as il Is
always called in that part of Africa. the
water sPrang up freely and abundantly in
the midst Of the narrow gorge, and all
| through the rocky sides small rills trickled
| down TO swell the central stream.
fsfl. a mill t,a.
shelter Of the strip of woodland which
here joined the hills the party decided to
| bivouac for the night. a certain amount
\ of warmth is generally found under the
| spreading branches and thick foliage of u
/ forest when the nights are keen.
| No great preparation was made, as they
| intended 10 be afoot before dawn, the
| game they were in search of rarely show
| ing in broad daylight. Considerably be-
| fore the time fixed for disentanglng them
selves from their blankets. st. Maur call
| ed loudly to know. What on earth that
| tsp
What is?" asked North sleepily.
THAT CHASTITY sound like distant thun-
der. yet different"
North. who was lying wrapped in his
| blanket. with his saddle for a pillow sat
up and listened till a long loud roar, with
something musical in its solemnty, as If
the base stop of a mighty organ had be en-
pulled out. reused the echoes. Again the
| same strange sound poured out its grand
volume. fCllcwed by a softer cadence,
which died away into "a sort of moan in
| eXDressibly sad.
"Ha! It's a lion, No mistake about ity'
said North. starting In his feet. 'He's
coming along here to drink at the pool
beyond! Forester. wake up. L fancy we
have. or will have a royal visitor! Let's
| try and get "a shot at HIM
Il am awake" sail Forester quietly.
ri guessed it was a lion, Isn't 1t some
| thing new TO hunt at night?"
| when there is a fine moon. as we have
| tonight, it's the best time often. Call the
| boys, st. Maur: tell them to fasten the
| dogs in leash, they must not he let to
run at their own free will. Tell Numjaa,
| he'll understand"
St. Maur obeyed. returning with aston
fishing rapidity. and the party was soon
afoot and listening eagerly for further
indications of the lions whereabouts a
couple of roars very much fainter and
more like means We're heard. and they