The welcome light of the moon soon spread over the veldt, and Jack examined the saddlery on the back of his newly acquired steed.
To his great joy, he found a holster-case attached to the saddle, and inside the case was a revolver loaded in every chamber. He was now provided with a means of defence, if attacked by man or beast.
Once or twice, he had heard what seemed to be low rumblings of thunder; but the sky was clear, and the wonderful stars glittered with a brightness only seen in Southern latitudes.
He tried to locate his position, but had to dolefully confess to himself that he was lost, and that he could not recognise any spot on the landscape.
The horse was still trembling in every limb, as though some unknown terror were creeping over it. He tried to drag the beast forward, but it refused to budge, and a strange fear crept through Jack's mind.
He had had a little experience of the king of beasts, and he came to the conclusion that the horse had scented danger in the shape of lions.
His fears were soon realised, for a loud roar burst upon his ears, and two pairs of shining yellow eyes peered at him from beneath a big mimosa bush.
His heart sank as it were into his boots, and he dragged his horse's head round. His first thought was to mount and make all haste from the spot, but his limbs seemed temporarily paralysed.
The growling increased, beginning with a blood-curdling wail that ended in a terrific roar.
The ground seemed to tremble beneath Jack's feet, and he gave himself up for lost. The opposition of armed men had no terrors for Jack Lovat, but he could not contemplate with equanimity the probability of being devoured piecemeal by infuriated lions.