CHAPTER EIGHTEEN.
THE CAPTURE OF A CAT.
It was a long and toilsome walk back, for the night had come on quickly,and every now and then the roar of some beast of prey, or the crash ofsome animal through the trees, was heard. But nothing interfered withthem; and when from time to time they halted for a few moments, theGeneral gladly made use of the strips torn by Jack from his handkerchiefand shirt to bind up the poor boy's bleeding wounds.
It seemed wonderful to Jack that strength and determination on the partof the General, almost as wonderful as the unerring instinct with whichhe made straight for the camp.
He did not speak once, but there was something exceedingly tender in theway in which he tried to carry the wounded boy, so as not to cause himpain; for he did not realise that poor Coffee was quite insensible tosuffering, and had not felt anything since he had been struck down.
At last, when Jack felt that he could no longer plant one leg before theother, there was the bright glow of the fire at the little camp, wherethey found Mr Rogers in a terrible state of uneasiness at theirprolonged absence.
The moment, however, he found what was wrong, his surgical skill, whichwas not slight, was brought to bear, and the terrible gaping wounds ofthe poor boy were sewn up and bandaged.
Read by the light of all that Jack had to tell, it was plain enough whathad befallen poor Coffee. He had been stalked, by the same lionprobably as that which Jack had shot. The monster had sprung upon him,clawing his bare back and shoulder; and then, probably being surfeitedwith devouring some unfortunate beast, he had left the boy, and had beenroused again by another intruder upon his domains, while, but for Jack'srifle, poor Chicory would have shared his fate.
"But a' didn't kill Chick, Boss Jack. Boss Jack kill um, and Boss Jackand Chick go and kill all a lion now, and not leave not one."
This was the next morning, when the events of the past night had beentalked over, and Mr Rogers had expressed a hope that the boy mightlive.
But, as he told his sons, it was very doubtful, for he had been horriblyclawed by the lion, though fortunately upon his back. Had the creatureseized him in front, he must have lost his life.
All attempts at continuing the journey were of course put off, acomfortable bed being made up for Coffee where he would feel the coolingbreeze and be sheltered from the sun, while his father took his place byhim, and sat and kept the bandages over the wounds wet and cool.
It was Chicory who proposed that the lion's skin should be fetched in;and after a promise to be careful, the boys started off, taking withthem Peter to skin the lion, Mr Rogers feeling that he could not leave,with Coffee in such a state. In fact he hesitated about letting hissons go, after such a shock, though he could not help feeling that theywere beginning to display a courage and decision that was mostpraiseworthy, especially as it was linked with so much self-denial.
"But the skin would be such a trophy, father," said Jack. "I shouldlike to have it."
"Go and get it, then," said Mr Rogers; "but don't stop. You may aswell shoot a few birds, though, or any small bok, if you can. We mustmake our beef-tea of venison, Dinny says," he added with a smile, "forthe invalid must have plenty of support."
Jack went to have a look at poor Coffee as he lay there insensible, andsoftly placed his cool hand upon the poor boy's burning head.
Then he started, for, to his surprise, the General was at his feet withhis arms round his legs, and embracing them closely.
He did not understand it then, but the Zulu was swearing fidelity, andto lay down his life for him who had saved, as he felt, both his boys.
Just then there was a yelping and baying amongst the dogs, a snarlingnoise, and Dinny's voice heard shouting--when Jack ran out, just in timeto see something yellowish and spotted rush among the trees, sending theoxen into a terrible state of excitement, and making the horses gallopup to the waggon for protection.
Mr Rogers was out in the open with a gun--but it was too late, therewas nothing to shoot, and the dogs, which had been off after the animal,came trotting back.
"What was it, Dinny?" said Mr Rogers.
"Sure, sor, an' it was a great big yellow tom cat, wid splashes likebrown gravy all over his dirthy body; an' he came sneaking out of thewood and made a pounce on Rough'un there; but the dog was too quick forhim, an' run bechuckst the big waggon-wheels, an' thin I threw a pot athim and aff he went, and the dogs after him."
"How big was it, Dinny?" cried Dick excitedly.
"About as big as ten tom cats, Masther Dick, if they was all biled downand made into one."
"Get along," cried Dick. "What would it be, father--a leopard?"
"Yes, my boy, undoubtedly. They are very fond of dogs, and will dashunder the waggons sometimes after one. Rough'un has had a narrowescape. We must look out, for the creature may come again."
It was a long walk to the glade where the lion was shot, but they killeda couple of the dangerous puff-adders, and shot three or four beautifulbirds, besides bringing down a small gazelle, which they protected withsticks to keep off the vultures. But the most interesting part of theirjourney was during the first mile of their way. They had all separatedso as to look out for game, and were crossing a patch of dense dried-upyellow grass where they expected to spring a large bird or two, when,all at once, something of a rich yellow and brown darted out beforeDick, leaving one clump to make for another, closely followed by alittle dun-coloured animal, evidently its young.
Dick's rifle was to his shoulder on the instant, and a bullet throughthe animal laid it low, while the young one leaped upon it, and turnedand snarled, and spat at its mother's slayer.
"Why it's the leopard that came after poor Rough'un, I'll be bound,"cried Jack, coming up. "It has got a young one, and that's what made itso daring. Hullo, little chap! We'll take you back for a pet."
But the young leopard was already in a pet, and it scratched, and swore,and behaved so cat-like, that it was no easy task to secure it. This,however, was done in a strong game-bag, which was hung in a tree whilethe mother was skinned for the sake of her beautiful hide.
As they neared the place where Jack's lion lay, Dick drew his brother'sattention to the vultures that were winging their way overhead.
"You'll see if they haven't been at your lion," he said.
He proved a true prophet, for as they drew near the glade--Jack feelinga strange chill of horror as he recalled the last night's adventure--first one and then another vulture flew up, and when Chicory made a dashforward they rose in a cloud.
"Your skin's spoiled, Jack," said his brother.
But he was wrong, for the vultures had found two assegais leaningagainst a bush, and looking so ominous with their bright blades wherethe General had left them, that they had not dared to touch the lion,and the consequence was that a magnificent skin was obtained, one thatproved to be no light load for Peter and Chicory, who carried itswinging from a pole resting upon their shoulders.
The load was increased as they picked up the skin of the leopard, whilethe boys carried the game.
The young leopard proved to be quite safe in the game-bag, which formeda comfortable hammock for it as it hung in a tree, but no sooner was itswung from Jack's shoulder, and felt the motion of the walker, than itbecame furious, spitting and tearing, and trying to get out.
One way and another they were so loaded that the sight of the waggonproved very welcome, and all were only too glad to partake of a goodbasin of what Mr Rogers called "Dinny's restorative," namely the richthick venison soup always stewing in the great pot, and being added toevery day.
And it was wonderful how invigorating this rich meat essence proved. Nomatter how weary they were, a basin of it could be enjoyed, and itseffect seemed to be almost instantaneous.
After a good dinner in the shade of the big tree by the waggon, bothJack and Dick had another look at poor Coffee, to find that he slept agood deal, and quite easily, Mr Rogers saying that he was lessfeverish.
"Well,
boys, what do you think of the medicine-chest now? Was I notright in being prepared for emergencies?"
The boys agreed that it was right, and hoped all the same that theywould never have to make any demands upon it, either for doses or lintand plaister--invaluable in poor Coffee's case now.
Then the lion's skin was admired, and laid out to dry. The leopard'sfollowed, and was greatly praised by Mr Rogers; and indeed it wasbeautiful in the harmony of its brown and creamy-yellow tints.
"Bedad and that's the very baste," cried Dinny. "I know him by thatspot at the back of his left ear, and the payculiar twisht of his tail."
"Now, Dinny," said Dick, "how could you tell it again when you saw itfor a moment only."
"An' d'ye think it takes half-an-hour for one of me eyes to catch soightof a craythure like that, Masther Dick? Sure I knowed it the moment Iset oise upon it as the very same baste."
"Then you must have excellent eyesight, Dinny," said Mr Rogers.
"Sure an' I have that same, sor," said Dinny proudly, as the boys nextbrought out the young leopard, which had to be held pretty tightly bythe back of the neck to keep it from taking its departure, while thedogs gathered round muttering growls, and longing to take revenge uponthe young leopard for the insult put upon them that morning by themother.
"I think Dinny's right, boys," said Mr Rogers, as he looked at theclumsy young leopard, which had a peculiarly heavy kittenish aspect. "Ishould say it was undoubtedly the mother that dashed in after the dogs,her young one making her the more daring."
"Sure an' I knew I was right," said Dinny complacently. "It was anavil-looking baste, in spite of its foine skin."
"What are you going to do with the leopard?" said Mr Rogers.
"Keep it, of course, father," said Jack.
"I don't see any, `of course,'" he replied, smiling; "but try and keepit if you can, though I'm afraid you will find it an awkward customer totame."
"Well, let us try," said Jack; and setting to work he soon contrived acollar of stout wire, which was wrapped round and round with thinleather, a dog-chain attached, and then the dogs were called by Dick.
"I say, what are you going to do?" cried his brother; "they'll kill thepoor little thing."
"Oh no, they will not," said Dick confidently. "I'm going to give thema lesson."
The dogs came bounding up, having been driven away during themanufacture of the collar; and now, evidently under the impression thatthey were to kill the young leopard, they became in a high state ofexcitement.
"Oh, Dick!" cried Jack. "Mind what you are about."
"Down, down, down!" cried Dick sternly; and the dogs all crouched,awaiting the order to attack. "Now, Rough'un, smell him."
Rough'un sprang up, and Pompey, Caesar, and Crassus made a rush; but atap each from the stick Dick held stopped them, and laying hold ofRough'un's ear, Dick pushed the dog's nose close to the vicious-lookinglittle leopard.
"Now, sir, you're not to touch him; do you hear?"
Rough'un evidently heard, and after smelling at the little animal, helooked up in a puzzled way at his master.
"Lie down, sir," said Dick, and the dog obeyed. "Now, dogs! Pomp,Caesar, Cras, old boy."
There was a volley of barks here, and the dogs evidently thought thattheir time had come; but a few stern words and a sharp tap or two fromthe stick made them perfectly obedient, and they contented themselveswith sniffing at the little animal, which, on its part, finding that itwas not molested by the dogs, left off its angry demonstrations, gaveeach one a gentle dab on the nose, and then rolled upon its back andbegan to play.
The dogs looked more puzzled than before, Crassus uttering a loud whineand giving his strong jaws a snap; but just then Rough'un accepted theinvitation to play, and began to pat and push the little animal, whichresponded at once by rushing off and dashing back, rolling over, bitingplayfully, and in less than a minute he and the young leopard wereleaping one over the other and gambolling as eagerly as if they were theoldest of friends.
Pompey also played a little, and Caesar and Crassus looked tolerantlyon, but they did not join in themselves, beyond smelling the leopard afew times over. Still there was no fear of their molesting the littlecaptive, which was tied up to a wheel of the waggon, and from that timebecame one of the occupants of the camp.