at it began to rear and plunge.

"Aisy, Masther Dick, dear, or I'll be off. Be quiet, ye baste. What's
the matter wid ye? Quiet, now!"

"Is anything the matter there?" came from out of the darkness across the
river.

"No-o-o-o!" roared Dick, drumming the bay's ribs with his heels. "Trek!
go on, old fellow."

"Oh, take care, Masther Dick, dear, whatever ye do," whined Dinny.

"Oh, I'll take care," cried Dick, assuming the lead, and leaning forward
so as to get the reins. "There, I'll guide; you hold him tightly with
your knees. Go on, bay."

On went the bay steadily enough; and there was no disposition to waver
now, even in the sharpest parts of the stream, for the extra weight upon
his back made him firmer. But just as they reached the middle of the
river a mischievous idea entered Dick's head, and suddenly with one foot
he made a splash, while with the other he pressed Dinny's leg against
the horse's side.

"Murther! Help!" yelled Dinny. "He's got me at last!" and throwing
himself in the opposite direction, Dick only managed to save himself by
nipping the horse. As for Dinny, he went head over heels into the
running stream, being borne back, however, by the current against Dick's
legs, when, grasping him by the collar, Dick urged the horse on, Dinny
supplementing his young master's hold by a most tenacious grasp, till
the horse's hoofs began to plash in the shallower water, and poor Dinny
was dragged out on to dry land.

"Why, what have you been about, Dinny?" cried Mr Rogers angrily. "Why
didn't you come over with us?"

"Sure, sor, I'm kilt entoirely," groaned Dinny, rubbing his leg. "Twice
over the savage bastes have had hold of me, and if I hadn't thrown
meself on the other side of the bay horse, it's this minute they'd be
aiting of me up."

"Jump up and come along," cried Mr Rogers. "It's my belief, Dinny,
that you are a great coward. Here, make haste, the waggon's nearly a
mile ahead."

"Oh, masther, it was a narrow escape," groaned Dinny, who did not
attempt to move.

"It will be a narrower one, Dinny, if you stay there, for the Zulu tells
me that this is a favourite spot for lions to lie in wait for the bok
and zebra that come down to drink."

"Oh, masther dear, why didn't ye say so before?" cried Dinny, jumping up
with alacrity. "Sure I'd be the first to tell a man if he was in
danger."

Mr Rogers did not reply, but went on with his son, Dinny keeping very
close behind, till t