empty cartridge with a full one, and was
approaching boldly to fire the necessary shot, when, to his horror and
astonishment, the lion rose, crouched, and showed its glistening teeth.
But in spite of the terror that seized him he stood firm, took careful
aim, fired, and with a savage roar, the lion rolled over, dead.

It was indeed a monster, and its glistening fangs were very long, while
upon examination there was the mark of Jack's last night's bullet, which
had ploughed up the skin between the creature's ears, though the wound
was now half dry.

The shots brought the Zulu into sight with his boys, for the waggon was
halting at a pleasant spring at the foot of one of the mountains not a
mile away, for here were wood and a good place for forming a kraal.

The General and his sons raced down, and the boys danced round the lion
and called it names. But there was no time to lose, and it was
impossible to stop and skin the animal that night, so the General stuck
some branches round it, and then led the way to camp, which was rapidly
formed. And though they heard lions in the distance, they had a less
disturbed night than the preceding one, greatly to the satisfaction of
all, especially Dinny, who declared that it was a blessing that the lion
was killed, for now they would be at peace.

But Dinny was wrong, for there were other lions in the land.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN.

GOOD PRACTICE FOR GUNNERS.

The day had hardly broken before Coffee and Chicory were shouting at the
opening of the waggon for Boss Dick and Boss Jack to "come and 'kin a
lion."

They wanted but little rousing up, and after a good souse in the pure
cool spring, that ran bubbling over and amongst some rocks with
delicious-looking broad-fronded ferns drooping gracefully over, they
went and rubbed their horses' muzzles, patted their arched necks, and
gave each a taste of sugar--for which Shoes and Stockings regularly
looked now, and would follow their masters like dogs to obtain--they
shouldered their rifles, and followed the General to the place where the
lion lay.

Rested and refreshed, everything around looked lovely, for they were at
the head of a very fertile valley, where flowers bloomed in profusion,
and the springs that rose in the sides of the mountains sent down
moisture enough to keep miles of the country round of a perpetual green.

"Plenty game here," said Chicory, pointing to a bare, muddy spot by a
water-hole.

The General turned