y right of first discovery, and she
must have it," answered Lethbridge, who had quickly developed a quite
remarkable affection for the child.

The _Flying Fish_ was accordingly brought to earth at once on a
tolerably level spot quite close to the carcase of the leopard, and the
five men quickly left the ship by way of what was known as the
"diving-chamber," and the trap-door in the bottom of the craft, and
forthwith proceeded to take the skin. It was found upon examination
that the ex-colonel had made a really splendid shot, his bullet having
struck the creature fair in the centre of the back of the skull, and
passed out through the left eye.

They were still engaged upon the work of removing the pelt when the roar
of a lion reached their ears, the muffled sound seeming to suggest that
the animal was at some distance--possibly as much as two miles--from
them. In about half a minute the sound was repeated, and again about
half a minute later, and so on, the sound coming to them pretty
regularly at half-minute intervals.

"Ach!" exclaimed the professor, presently, "I think I can guess what is
happening. Now, if we are quick, we may be in time to witness a
somewhat remarkable sight."

"Yes," said Lethbridge, "I think I know to what you refer, Professor. I
once saw it myself, and it certainly was, as you say, a very curious
sight."

"May we be allowed to know what this curious sight is of which you two
gentlemen are speaking?" inquired the Russian.

"Wait and see for yourself, Boris, my friend," exclaimed von
Schalckenberg. "If you do not know what to expect, you will appreciate
the sight all the more when you see it. There," as the last ligament
was severed and the skin came away from the carcase, "that job is
finished. Let us wash our hands and be off at once, or we may be too
late."

Five minutes later the _Flying Fish_ was again in the air, and heading
at a twenty-knot speed in the direction from which the sound of roaring
appeared to proceed, while several vultures had already mysteriously
appeared high in the air above the carcase of the leopard, and were
rapidly dropping down toward it.

The roaring still continued, each repetition of it coming to them very
much more distinctly than the one that had preceded it, and presently,
as the ship swept along, a little valley among the rocks swung into
view, and there, in the very middle of it, was to be seen the singular
sight of which the professor and Let