ush upon any person, but to make her escape from
her assailants. A volley was fired at her, and one shot took effect, for
she fell with her head to the ground, and tumbled right over; but
immediately after she recovered herself, and made off for the bushes
where she had been first discovered.

"She was hit hard that time, at all events," said the Major.

"Yes, sir," said Bremen, "that was her deathshot, I should think; but
she is not dead yet, and may give us a great deal of trouble."

They followed her as fast as they could on foot, and the dogs were soon
upon her again; the animal continued to roar, and always from the same
spot; so that it was evident she was severely wounded. Alexander and the
Major reserved their fire, and approached to where the dogs were baying,
not twenty yards from the jungle. Another roar was given, and suddenly
the body of the lioness rushed through the air, right in the direction
where they stood; she passed, however, between them, and when she
reached the ground, she fell on her side, quite dead. It was her last
expiring effort, and she died in the attempt. Alexander and the Major,
who were both ready to fire, lowered their rifles when they perceived
that she was dead.

"Well," said the Major, "I will say that when I first saw her tail, I
was more frightened than I was just now, when she made the spring; I was
so taken by surprise."

"I don't doubt it. She is a very large animal, and will make a handsome
companion to the lion. If we live and do well, and get home to England
again, I will have her stuffed along with him, and put them in the same
case."

"I trust you will, and that I shall come and see them," replied the
Major.

"I am sure I do, from my heart, my good fellow. I am very much pleased
at our having killed both these beasts, without Swinton being with us,
as he would have been persuading us to leave them alone."

"And he would have done very right," replied the Major. "We are two
naughty boys, and shall be well scolded when we go back."

"Which I vote we do now. I think we have done quite enough for to-day."

"Yes, indeed," replied the Major, mounting his horse; "enough to talk of
all our lives. Now let us gallop home, and say nothing about having
killed the lions until the Hottentots bring them to the caravan."

CHAPTER XXV.

"Well, what sport have you had?" was Swinton's first question when he
was joined by Alexander and the Major. Replied the latter--"Pre