the cattle, and which for some
hours they cropped, the heat being intense, and any object exposed to
the full power of the sun soon becoming hot enough to burn the hand.

Hot as it was, Dinny, being assured that the lion was not likely to
attack in open daylight, lit a roaring fire, and soon had the pot
simmering with its rich thick meat gravy, a basin round of which, and a
portion of a cake made and baked upon an iron plate brought for the
purpose, formed their dinner.

Then there was a siesta, and at last, the most fiery hours being gone
by, broad-brimmed straw hats were taken from the waggon--for it was
still intensely hot--and the Zulu undertaking to lead the team on
between two mountains through which the broad valley ran, the horses
were saddled, rifles taken, and father and sons mounted to go on what
might prove to be a very dangerous adventure.

The first thing done was to carefully take in the bearings of the
country, and then, after a few words of advice from the General--whom
Mr Rogers would have liked to have, only his presence was necessary
with the waggon, he being the most trustworthy of their followers--they
rode on at a brisk canter through the crisp long grass, and amongst the
bushes, and always onward towards the head of the valley, where,
towering up, stood the twin mountains, which were like the ends of a
couple of ridges or chains.

Scrupulously following out the General's advice, they struck off to the
left, and taking quite a two-mile circuit, they saw the waggon crawling
along in the distance, while they cantered on, feeling wonderfully free
and light in spite of the heat, till they were a long distance behind
the waggon, when they halted and carefully swept the surface of the
country.

"Nothing in sight," said Mr Rogers.

"I hope we shan't have our trip for nothing, father," replied Dick.

"Are you eager to meet with the lion, then?" said his father, smiling.

"I don't know, father; but I should like to shoot him," replied Dick
quietly.

"Well, my boys, I hope we shall shoot the animal; and as we are now a
couple of miles at least behind the waggon, if he is following it he
should be before us now, so come along."

Rifles were cocked, and every eye carefully scrutinised the dry
drabby-yellow grass through which the lion would be stealing its way,
and so much like the withered stems in colour that, unless moving, it
was quite possible to miss seeing such a creature as they rode alon