cried Dyke. "I know that place well; it's where I
found the aardvark, and the bushes are quite open. I am sure we can see
them."

"Well, as you're so set on it, we'll try; but mind this, no riding in--
nothing rash, you know."

"Oh, I'll take care," cried Dyke. "I shan't get hurt. You only have to
ride right at them, and they'll run."

"I don't know so much about that, old cocksure; but mind this, horses
are horses, and I don't want you to get Breezy clawed."

"And I don't want to get him clawed--do I, old merry legs?" cried the
boy, bending forward to pat his nag's neck. "Sooner get scratched
myself, wouldn't I, eh?"

The little horse tossed up its head and shook its mane, and then taking
his master's caress and words to mean a call upon him for fresh effort,
he dashed off, and had to be checked.

"Steady, steady, Dyke, boy," cried Emson; "do you hear?"

"Please sir, it wasn't me," replied the boy merrily. "It was him."

"No nonsense!" cried Emson sternly. "Steady! This is not play."

Dyke glanced once at his brother's face as he rode up, and saw that it
looked hard, earnest, and firm.

"All right, Joe," he said quietly; "I will mind."

The next minute they had cantered gently up to the patch, which was only
about an acre in extent, and the bushes so thin and scattered that they
could see nearly across where the lions had entered.

But there was no sign of the cunning beasts.

"Look here, Joe; you ride round that way, and I'll go this; then we are
sure to see them."

"Capital plan," said Emson sarcastically. "Bravo, general! weaken your
forces by one-half, and then if I see them I can't fire for fear of
hitting you, and you can't fire for fear of hitting me. Try again,
clever one."

"Oh, all right, you try," said Dyke, in an offended tone.

"Ride round with me, then, either five yards in front or five behind.
Will you go first?"

"No, you go," said Dyke distantly.

"Come along, then. Keep a sharp lookout, and if you get a good chance
at the shoulder--fire. Not without."

"Very well," said Dyke shortly, "but you see if they don't sneak out and
gallop away on the other side."

"They won't leave cover if they can help it," said Emson; and his words
proved true, for as they rode slowly round with finger on trigger,
scanning the openings, the cunning brutes glided in and out among the
great boulders, and crawled through the bushes, so that not a glimpse of
them could be obtained.

"T