“No,” said the doctor decisively. “I have just been outside to have a look round with Mak. We were only out for a few minutes, and the black caught me twice by the arm to listen.”
“Well, did you hear anything?” said Mark.
“Yes; lions.”
The boy made a movement as if to reach his rifle.
“You need not do that,” said the doctor, “for the sounds were distant. Still, lions travel fast, and we might have a visit at any time; so you see that you have an answer to your proposal about letting the fire out.”
“Yes,” said Dean; “that settles it.”
“Besides,” said the doctor, “we should not be any cooler if there were no fire.”
“Oh–h–h!” said Mark, in a tone that suggested doubt.
“Don’t be too sceptical, my boy,” said the doctor. “Let me prove it to you. Come a little nearer the fire.”
The doctor had led the way, and together they stood so near to the glowing flames that they looked to those whom they left behind like a pair of figures cut out of black cloth.