“Certainly not, at least not just yet,” answered Dick firmly. “And never mind about your head, or your mouth; what does your leg feel like? Here, just let me have a look at it.” And, gently lifting the limb and pushing up the leg of the trousers, in which Grosvenor had lain all night, he laid bare the injury. The swelling, although it had not quite disappeared, had subsided so greatly that the limb had once more come to bear some semblance to a human leg, and the livid purple tint had almost faded out, while the cauterised wounds were perfectly dry and healthy in appearance. But when Dick began to gently pinch and prod the injured member, and to ask: “Does that hurt at all?” it became evident that there was a distinct numbness in the limb, as far up as the knee. But this did not very greatly distress Dick; all the signs were indicative of the fact that the venom in the blood had been effectually neutralised; and as for the numbness, that would probably pass off in the course of the day.
“Well, Doctor,” said Grosvenor whimsically, “what is your verdict—favourable, or otherwise? I remember now that I was bitten by a beastly snake, last night, and that you did several things to me that made me feel horribly queer, but I don’t quite remember how I got to the tent. Was the brute venomous?”
“About as venomous as it could well be,” answered Dick. “But you need have no fear,” he added, seeing a look of anxiety spring into his patient’s eyes; “the danger is quite over; now all that we have to think about is how to cure that headache of yours. And here, just in the nick of time, Mafuta has brought us our coffee. Take your cup and drink it at once; and if in the course of the next half-hour you feel no better, I will mix you a draught. Stop a moment; just look me straight in the eye; yes, that is right; now drink your coffee; it will completely cure your headache, and you will immediately fall asleep, waking again in time for breakfast.”
Grosvenor obediently took the cup, drained it, and lay back on his pillow.
“Thanks, old chap,” he murmured; “that’s good; I—I—feel—” and was asleep.
“That’s all right,” murmured Dick meditatively, as his eyes rested upon the other’s placid countenance. “Why did not I remember to try that kind of thing last night! It might have helped matters a good deal. Ah well! I’ll not forget next time. Now, Mafuta,” he continued, turning to the Kafir; “what about the lions? How many did I kill last night?”
“Three, baas,” answered Mafuta; “that is to say, two lions and one lioness, all full-grown, but quite young, and in grand condition, their teeth and claws quite perfect.”
“Is that so?” queried Dick. “Then I suppose you have been out to have a look at them?”
“Yes, baas,” answered the black; “we went out and brought them in. They are now just outside the tent.”
“Very well,” said Dick, draining his coffee. “I will have a look at them. And—what about my bath? I suppose there is no chance of one this morning, eh?”