ad expected, and the
hunters said confidently that the animals must have been chased or
disturbed within a few hours. They had accordingly to go four or five
miles across the plain before they could get a shot; but at last they
saw a herd feeding in a valley. After the experience they had had that
morning of the futility of attempting to get near the deer on horseback,
they determined that the hunters should make a circuit, and come down
upon the herd from different points. Tom and Dick were to stay on the
brow where they were then standing, keeping well back, so as to be out
of sight from the valley, until they heard the report of the first gun,
when they were to mount and endeavour to cut off and head the deer back
upon the others. The hunters then started--Jumbo and Blacking going to
the right, Tony and the other to the left.

After an hour's walking they reached their places at points about
equidistant from each other, forming with Tom and Dick a complete circle
round the deer. They were enabled to keep each other in sight, although
hidden from the herd in the hollow. When each had gained his station
they lay down and began to crawl towards the deer, and until they were
within 150 yards of the herd the latter continued grazing quietly. Then
an old buck gave a short, sharp cry, and struck the ground violently
with his hoofs; the others all ceased feeding, and gazed with startled
eyes to windward, and were about to dash off in a body when the four men
fired almost simultaneously, and as many stags fell. The rest darted
off at full speed in the direction in which Tom and Dick were posted,
that being the only side open to them. An instant later Tom and Dick
appeared on horseback on the brow, and dashed down towards the herd;
these, alarmed at the appearance of a fresh enemy, broke into two
bodies, scattering right and left, giving both lads an opportunity for a
good shot. Both succeeded in bringing down their mark. They then
dismounted, and giving their horses to the native joined the hunters.
They had bagged six deer, and the hunters at once proceeded to
disembowel them; one was to be slung behind each of the saddles, and the
others would be carried by the hunters and native.

While they were so engaged they were startled by a shout, and saw the
native running down towards them, leading the horses and gesticulating
wildly.

"We are attacked," Blacking said, and almost at the same moment three or
four arro