ing added to
every day.

And it was wonderful how invigorating this rich meat essence proved. No
matter how weary they were, a basin of it could be enjoyed, and its
effect seemed to be almost instantaneous.

After a good dinner in the shade of the big tree by the waggon, both
Jack and Dick had another look at poor Coffee, to find that he slept a
good deal, and quite easily, Mr Rogers saying that he was less
feverish.

"Well, boys, what do you think of the medicine-chest now? Was I not
right in being prepared for emergencies?"

The boys agreed that it was right, and hoped all the same that they
would never have to make any demands upon it, either for doses or lint
and plaister--invaluable in poor Coffee's case now.

Then the lion's skin was admired, and laid out to dry. The leopard's
followed, and was greatly praised by Mr Rogers; and indeed it was
beautiful in the harmony of its brown and creamy-yellow tints.

"Bedad and that's the very baste," cried Dinny. "I know him by that
spot at the back of his left ear, and the payculiar twisht of his tail."

"Now, Dinny," said Dick, "how could you tell it again when you saw it
for a moment only."

"An' d'ye think it takes half-an-hour for one of me eyes to catch soight
of a craythure like that, Masther Dick? Sure I knowed it the moment I
set oise upon it as the very same baste."

"Then you must have excellent eyesight, Dinny," said Mr Rogers.

"Sure an' I have that same, sor," said Dinny proudly, as the boys next
brought out the young leopard, which had to be held pretty tightly by
the back of the neck to keep it from taking its departure, while the
dogs gathered round muttering growls, and longing to take revenge upon
the young leopard for the insult put upon them that morning by the
mother.

"I think Dinny's right, boys," said Mr Rogers, as he looked at the
clumsy young leopard, which had a peculiarly heavy kittenish aspect. "I
should say it was undoubtedly the mother that dashed in after the dogs,
her young one making her the more daring."

"Sure an' I knew I was right," said Dinny complacently. "It was an
avil-looking baste, in spite of its foine skin."

"What are you going to do with the leopard?" said Mr Rogers.

"Keep it, of course, father," said Jack.

"I don't see any, `of course,'" he replied, smiling; "but try and keep
it if you can, though I'm afraid you will find it an awkward customer to
tame."

"Well, let us try," said Jack; and setting