g.

The plan arranged was, that no sooner was the lion sighted than they
were all to dismount, and fire as opportunity occurred, loading again as
rapidly as possible for a second shot.

But though they followed steadily on in the waggon track, riding all
three abreast, and scanning every clump and bush, they had approached
the bend of the valley without seeing anything but a few bok, which
offered tempting marks now that they did not want to shoot.

The waggon had evidently passed through the opening, for it was quite
out of sight, and the sinking sun was casting long shadows. So at last
Mr Rogers grew impatient and spoke out,--

"We had better ride on, my boys, and catch the waggon. I want to halt
early and form a good stout fence for our protection. We shall see
no--"

"Lion!" said Dick sharply. "Dismount."

He threw himself from his horse on the instant, and stood ready to fire,
his father and brother imitating his example.

"Where?" said Mr Rogers quietly. "I see nothing, Dick."

"There," replied Dick, "fifty yards away, stealing through those thick
sedgy grasses. Don't you see?"

"Yes," said his father, "I see the monster now. Keep cool, boys, and
make your shots tell. If he is wounded and charges, you must stand firm
and fire again."

Mr Rogers waited a few moments, during which the lion, a monstrous
yellow, maneless fellow, was half-crawling, half-creeping, through the
long sedgy grass; and at last he showed so plainly that Mr Rogers took
careful aim, fired, and evidently hit, for the lion uttered a furious
roar, and made a tremendous bound to escape, with the result that Dick's
cob started, and threatened to dash off; but a few words from its master
calmed it; and taking advantage of the good view he had of the lion,
Dick now fired, a shot from Jack's rifle following directly after. But,
so far from the monster being crippled, it ceased its efforts to escape,
and turning, took a few steps forward, crouched like a cat, and then
bounded at Jack.

"Stand firm and fire!" cried Mr Rogers.

Jack obeyed, and as he fired the lion was in the air launching itself at
him, but falling short, rolling over upon its side, and beginning to
tear and gnaw at the dry grass in its death agony.

Mr Rogers approached, but drew back in favour of Dick.

"Go and give it the _coup de grace_, my boy," he said. "You may as well
have the honour of killing the monster, for a monster it is."

Dick had replaced his