I did not know what was causing it.

I did not stay to reflect.

I only wished to get forward as rapidly as possible, thinking about our flock.
"I continued to clear my way, and at length found myself in the position I had coveted; while the lane I had made, in getting there, closed instantaneously behind me.

I was about to rush on, and take advantage of the bit of clear ground, when, what should I see in the centre, and directly before me, but a great yellow lion! "That accounted for the break in the herd.

Had I known what had been causing it, I should have fought my way in any other direction but that; but there was I, out in the open ground, the lion not ten paces from me, and a fence of springboks two deep around both of us! "I need not say I was frightened, and badly too.