The black understood him, and as snarl after snarl came from out of the forest the dry wood blazed up and the growling grew less and less.
“They’re a-sneaking off, sir,” said the big driver, “and I think you might give them another shot or two to hurry them.”
“All together,” said the doctor sharply. “Ready! Fire!”
The flashes from the mouths of the rifles looked slight in the glow of the flames, and the reports rang out loudly, to be followed by a fierce yell and a snarling roar, as, feeling awestricken by what was taking place, the boys pictured to themselves amidst the low growth the huge lion tearing about in its rage and pain.
“I’d keep quiet, gentlemen,” whispered Buck. “One of us has hit another, and if he made out where we were he might charge.”
The man ceased speaking as the tearing and raging about of the wounded beasts went on, but evidently growing more distant, till their snapping and snarling were almost drowned by the fierce, loud crackling of the burning fire.
“It’s crawling away,” whispered Mark excitedly.
“Yes, sir. He’s got it,” replied the driver; “but I would keep quiet, or we may bring him back to pay us.”
For some minutes no one spoke, while the fire was freshly fed by the black, who looked almost diabolical as he danced about it in a strange way, ending by approaching the group, who crouched behind some bushes, which would have made but a frail breastwork had one of the lions charged.
A quarter of an hour must have elapsed before anyone spoke again, and during that time the crackling of the burning wood, which now lit up a wide circle, was the only sound that was heard.