e do now?"

"Let our horses get their wind again, and then we will see if we can
fall in with some new game."

"I saw two or three antelopes, of a very different sort from the
sassabys and harte-beests, towards that rising ground. We will go that
way as soon as the Hottentots come up and take charge of our game."

"Does Swinton want to preserve one of these creatures?"

"I believe not, they are so very bulky. He says we shall find plenty as
we go on, and that he will not encumber the waggons with a skin until we
leave the Vaal River, and turn homewards. Now, Bremen and Omrah, come
with us."

The Major and Alexander then turned their horses' heads, and rode slowly
towards the hill which they had noticed, and the antelopes that the
Major had observed were now seen among the bushes which crowned the
hill. Bremen said that he did not know the animals, and the Major was
most anxious to obtain one to surprise Swinton with. As soon as they
came within two hundred yards of the bushes on the other side of which
the antelopes were seen, the Major gave his horse to Omrah and advanced
alone very cautiously, that he might bring one down with his rifle. He
gained the bushes without alarming the animals, and the party left
behind were anxiously watching his motions, expecting him every moment
to fire, when the Major suddenly turned round and came back at a hurried
pace.

"What is the matter?" said Alexander.

"Matter enough to stop my growth for all my life," replied the Major.
"If ever my heart was in my mouth, it was just now. I was advancing
softly, and step by step, towards the antelopes, and was just raising my
rifle to fire, when I heard something flapping the ground three or four
yards before me. I looked down, and it was the tail of a lioness, which
fortunately was so busy watching the antelopes with her head the other
way, that she did not perceive my being near her; whereupon I beat a
retreat, as you have witnessed."

"Well, what shall we do now?"

"Wait a little till I have recovered my nerves," said the Major, "and
then I'll be revenged upon her. Swinton is not here to preach prudence,
and have a lion-hunt I will."

"With all my heart," replied Alexander. "Bremen, we are going to attack
the lioness."

"Yes, sir," said Bremen; "then we had better follow Cape fashion. We
will back the horses towards her, and Omrah will hold them while we will
attack her. I think one only had better fire, so we keep