s of the Zambesi had long been
nurtured in Mr Rogers' heart; and as they had in their many months'
journey come so far, he determined that they would if possible reach
that part of the river, and see the falls, even if they did not go
farther.

There seemed to be no reason why they should not, for every one, thanks
to his care and management, was in the best of health, the change in
Dick being wondrous. Certainly there was poor Coffee: but he was
growing stronger day by day, and vowing vengeance against every lion in
the land.

That they were approaching a more inhabited tract they soon had warning
in the increasing scarcity of the game. In place of the vast herds they
had so often encountered, the herds were small, and so shy that it was
only by lying in ambush, while the others went miles round to show
themselves and make the antelopes take flight in the direction of the
hidden hunters, that a sufficiency was obtained for the daily needs.

The boys, however, managed to supplement the animal food with the birds
that were shot, or knocked down with kiris; and fishing became a
favourite pursuit in some one or other of the rocky pools in the
river-beds that they had to cross, silurus and other kinds being
frequently captured with a hook and line.

They were curious fish these silurus, and, of course in happy ignorance
of the meaning of angling, readily took the bait thrown to them in the
deep pools; but when hooked their behaviour was almost startling, from
the tremendous rushes they made in all directions. Being very much of
the same configuration as the eel, they partook of that long, lithe
fellow's strength in the water; so that it was no uncommon thing for one
that was hooked, and had been played for some time, to break away and
carry with it half of a good line. Several were lost, but many were
taken, and found famous when cooked, though Dinny avoided them as
"avil-looking bastes."

Game grew scarcer still; and Mr Rogers, the boys, and Chicory were
sitting in the long grass, partaking of some lunch they had brought,
after a long toilsome walk in search of hartebeeste, a herd of which
curiously-formed animals had been seen from a distance, when Chicory
suddenly pricked up his ears, leaped to his feet, and then signed to his
white companions to look.

About a mile away, but coming on at a tremendous rate, was a little herd
of zebras, whose beautiful forms and clearly-marked stripes could easily
be distingui