fraction of a
moment too long did he tarry, as the bullet sped forth; the thundrous
echoes of the report rolling in many-tongued reverberation among the
rocks and krantzes. The great spotted cat lay gasping out its life,
with a severed spine.

There are compensatory moments in life, and this was one of them. In
the keen exhilaration of the successful shot, Wyvern noted that the
beast was an abnormally large and fine specimen of its kind. The skin
should be a parting gift to Lalante; a final memento of Seven Kloofs.

CHAPTER ELEVEN.

DREAMS--AND A VISIT.

"I wonder why Mr Wyvern never comes over to see us now," remarked small
Frank Le Sage, one morning.

"I believe he and Lala have had a row," rejoined smaller Charlie; for
thus were they wont at times to abbreviate their sister's uncommon, and
to them high-sounding name.

She for her part smiled. She would not "shut them up," she liked to
hear them talk about him.

"Man, but he's a fine chap," went on the first speaker. "I seem to miss
him no end."

"Rather," assented the other. "And doesn't he just know how to make
stunning catapults!"

"And to use them too," came the rejoinder.

Lalante, who had been contemplating the small speakers with a smile of
tender approval, burst out laughing at this ingenuous and whole-hearted
appreciation of the absent one's claim to esteem.

"And so that's all he's a `fine chap' for, is it?" she said.

"Oh, no. He's a jolly fine chap all round, you know."

"Rather," confirmed the other. Then, insinuatingly, "I say, Lalante.
Let us off that beastly catechism this morning, won't you? It's such a
jolly morning to go down the kloof and humbug about."

It was Sunday, and the form of instruction thus irreverently qualified,
was wont on that day to take the place of the "three R's" already
referred to.

"Yes, and get yourselves into a nice mess, and tear yourselves to
pieces. Supposing any visitors were to turn up--you wouldn't be fit to
be seen," answered the girl. But her tone was, for the object they had
in view, anything but hopeless.

"We shan't get any visitors except Mr Wyvern, and he won't care,"
replied he who had made the request.

"I hope he will turn up," declared the other. "He does spin such
ripping good yarns. Do let us off, Lala."

For answer they were encircled by an arm apiece, and upon each eager,
pleading face was bestowed a hearty kiss.

"You darlings, I will then," she said, releasin