retaliated by biting again, and getting such a good grip
with his teeth on Pompey's tail that this sturdy fellow dragged him for
yards before Rough'un let go.

Altogether, for a few minutes there seemed to be what Dick called a
dog-storm, after which they all crouched down, with open mouths,
starting eyes, and quivering tongue, staring at the preparations going
on, and ready to be off.

"Good old dogs! Old Pomp! old Caesar! What old Cras! Hi, Rough'un!"
cried Jack, caressing all the dogs in turn, and patting their heads,
with the effect of making them seize and pretend to worry him, seizing
his legs, jumping up, and showing their delight in a dozen ways.

Then the ammunition had to be obtained, satchels stored with provisions,
Coffee and Chicory carrying a supply for their own and their father's
use; and when the grim-looking old warrior held up a warning finger at
them and said they were not to eat the provisions, they brought a smile
to his lips by running off together and pretending to devour the
contents of the bag.

At last all was ready, and after a few words of warning to Dinny and the
others to be watchful, the little party started, Mr Rogers referring to
a small compass he carried in his pocket, and taking the bearings of the
two mountains, so as to be sure of their return.

For though the General was with them there was always the possibility of
being separated; and missing the way back in the great African wilds may
mean missing one's life.

There was plenty to see. Flowers grew in abundance in the rich moist
places; fleshy plants abounded in the sterile rocky parts; and in every
shady niche the ferns were glorious. The trees alone were enough to
satisfy any one with a love of beauty. Great candelabra-shaped
euphorbias, with wondrous thorns and lovely scarlet blossoms; huge
forest-trees that seemed to have lost their own individuality in the
wreathing clusters of creeping flowering plants they bore. Everything
was beautiful; and as they walked on in the glowing sunshine, they
seemed to have come to one of the most glorious spots of earth.

They had not proceeded far beside one of the little rivers that came
bubbling down from the mountain they were approaching before Rough'un
began to bark.

_Click_, _click_, went Dick's rifle.

"Look, father, look! a crocodile!" cried Jack. "I wanted to see a
crocodile."

There was a rush, a splash, and a scurry, and Rough'un came out of the
water, looki