that if it concealed a lion and the fire were
not fatal, the risk would be great. Lowering the weapon, he watched the
bush intently, determining to wait till the lion made its spring, or to
fire if he could get a glimpse of the animal. An hour had passed, and
the temptation returned in full force.

The dead deep silence weighed upon him, the strange motions of the bush
made him nervous. Again the rifle was raised, when a loud trampling
noise was heard, as with their heads down and their spiral horns
glittering in the sun, the troop of gnus came on at top speed. A more
ferocious-looking lot could hardly be imagined, as they headed dead down
the valley. Still the hunter's attention was divided, and more
engrossed with the bush than with the game. The gnus rapidly neared it,
urged on by the shouts of Noti, while Luji's voice was plainly to be
heard far away in rear. They were close to it; about to pass in safety,
when a piercing yell rang from the bush, and a bright spear glancing in
the sunshine struck the leading gnu, while Masheesh, casting his leafy
covering, sprang to his feet. The report of the soldier's rifle
followed, and one of the herd rolled heavily forward, breaking its horns
in the impetus of the fall. The animal struck by the spear halted at
once, stamping violently with its forefoot, and lowering its head for
the charge. The savage stood awaiting it, his knobstick in his left
hand, the long glittering dagger in his right, tall, erect, and
fearless, the very picture of a dusky brave. With an angry snort the
bull rushed on, but the savage stepped lightly aside, and the steel sank
deep into the flesh near the spine. Again the gnu turned to charge, for
a moment hesitating, as it lowered its shaggy head, but at that instant
a ball from the deadly English rifle struck right between the eyes, and
it fell heavily close to Masheesh, the blood gushing from its mouth. It
was a much larger one than that first killed, when measured proving
fully seven feet four inches from the top of the nose to the base of the
tail. The horns were one foot ten inches in length, and the animal
stood at least four feet in height at the shoulder. The hoof, as
Captain Hughes and the delighted Masheesh stood beside the carcass,
seemed too large for the legs, and the knee joints were covered with a
hard substance like those of a tame ox. In fact the animal seemed to
resemble much the half-wild oxen of India, and, before it cha