Already I could see that the carrion-birds had caught sight of the dead, and were winging their way to an anticipated feast; but they were disappointed, for the order had been given, and the horses were being led out again to graze, while four men, with strong raw-hide plaited reins attached to their saddles, rode out quickly to play the part of butchers to the beleaguered force, and shortly after came slowly back drawing a fresh supply of meat for the garrison.

Then the vultures descended to clear away everything left.
"It makes one shudder," said Denham to me as we sat perched upon a broken portion of the wall, resting after the previous day's exertion, and nursing our rifles.
"Why ?" I said, though I felt that I knew what he was about to say.
"Makes one think how it would be if one lay somewhere out on the veldt, dead and forgotten after a fight." "Bah! Don't talk about it," I cried.
"Can't help it," he replied.

"It makes me want to practise my shooting upon those loathsome crows." "Why should you ?" I replied.

"They are only acting according to their nature, and--Hullo! Look yonder; what's the matter with the baboons ?" Away to our left a loud chattering had begun amongst the ridges of ironstone and blocks of granite which formed the kopje.

The drove, herd, flock, family, or whatever it was, of the dog-faced apes was running here and there, chattering, grimacing, and evidently in a great state of excitement.