ch had preceded it. As
if a signal had been given, three or four creatures came with great
bounds out of the darkness towards the side where Dick was posted.
Taking a steady aim, he fired. Tony, who was outside with the cattle on
that side of the square, did the same. The other natives had been
ordered to retain their fire until the lions were close enough to ensure
each shot telling. The lion at which Dick had aimed paused for a moment
with a terrific roar, and then bounded forward again. When he came
within twenty yards of the oxen, the four natives posted by Dick's side
fired. The lion for a moment fell; then, gathering itself together, it
sprang on to the back of a bullock, just in front of where Dick was
standing. The lad had a second rifle in readiness, and leaning forward
he placed the muzzle within two yards of the lion's head and fired. The
animal rolled off the back of the bullock, who, with the one standing
next to him, at once began to kick at it endeavouring to get their heads
round to gore it with their horns. The lion, however, lay unmoved;
Dick's last shot had been fatal.

The other lions on this side had bounded back into the darkness. From
the other sides of the square the sound of firing proclaimed that
similar attacks had been made; but, as there was no summons for aid,
Dick supposed that the attacks were isolated ones, and so, after
recharging his rifles, he remained quietly at his post.

For some hours the attack was not renewed, though the continuous roaring
showed that the lions were still close at hand. Mr Harvey went round
and advised the boys to lie down at their posts and get a little sleep,
as the natives would keep watch.

"I don't think we have done with them yet," he said; "we have killed
three, but I think, by the roaring, the number has considerably
increased within the last hour. It is probable that an attack will be
made an hour or so before daybreak, and I expect it will be in earnest
next time."

Dick accordingly lay down to sleep, but he was too excited to close his
eyes.

After a long time it seemed to him that the roaring was dying away, and
a drowsiness was stealing over him, when suddenly Mr Harvey's rifle was
heard, and he shouted,--

"To this side--quick! they are upon us."

Dick, Tom, and Jumbo, with the six natives, leapt from the waggons, and,
running across the little enclosure, scrambled up into those on the
other side. There was a momentary silence