"Are we to ride or walk?" he asked.

"Walk, of course," said Hicks. "The ground is much too rough for
horses."

"And I trust, Tom," said Wilkins, "that you will permit me to follow
you. I am the worst shot, you know, and the worst and best should go
together on the acknowledged principle that extremes meet."

This being arranged, the sportsmen dismounted, fastened their horses to
trees, and separated.

The circle of men gradually closed in and ascended the hill pretty near
to each other. Presently Tom Brown observed one of the lions get upon a
piece of rock. The major also saw him, and being anxious to secure the
first shot, fired somewhat hastily and hit the rock on which the
magnificent brute was standing, as if it had got up there to take a cool
survey of the field. He bit at the spot struck, as a dog bites at a
stick or stone thrown at him. Next moment Tom Brown sent a bullet
straight into his heart, and his tail made a splendid flourish as he
fell off his pedestal!

Almost immediately after two of the other lions broke cover, dashed
towards the circle of men, went right through them and escaped. The
courage of the natives proved unequal to the danger of facing such a
charge. A great shout--partly, no doubt, of disappointment--was given
when the lions escaped. This had the effect of causing the fourth lion
to break cover and leap upon a rock as the first had done. The hunter
nearest to him was Pearson, who was not farther off than shout thirty
yards. He took good aim, fired both barrels at him, and tumbled him off
the rock into a small bush beside it.

"He is wounded," cried Hicks, "but not killed. Have a care!"

Pearson was loading his gun as fast as possible, when he heard a loud
shout, and cries of "Look out!" "Take care!" Starting, and turning
half round, he saw the animal in the act of springing on him. Before he
could move he was struck on the head, and next moment the lion and he
went down together. Growling horribly, the enraged brute seized poor
Pearson and shook him as a terrier dog shakes a rat. Although stunned,
he was able to turn a little to relieve himself of its weight, for the
lion had placed one paw on the back of his head. Instantly the major,
Tom Brown, and Hicks ran up and fired six shots into him almost
simultaneously, and at a few yards' distance. With a terrific roar he
left Pearson, and, springing on Hicks, caught him by the leg. Mafuta
immediately rushed at him w