Then he started, for, to his surprise, the General was at his feet with his arms round his legs, and embracing them closely.
He did not understand it then, but the Zulu was swearing fidelity, and to 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 snarling noise, and Dinny’s voice heard shouting—when Jack ran out, just in time to see something yellowish and spotted rush among the trees, sending the oxen into a terrible state of excitement, and making the horses gallop up to the waggon for protection.
Mr Rogers was out in the open with a gun—but it was too late, there was 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 like brown gravy all over his dirthy body; an’ he came sneaking out of the wood and made a pounce on Rough’un there; but the dog was too quick for him, an’ run bechuckst the big waggon-wheels, an’ thin I threw a pot at him 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 down and 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 dash under the waggons sometimes after one. Rough’un has had a narrow escape. We must look out, for the creature may come again.”