chagrin of both.

They directed their steps toward the river, but within two hundred feet
of the spot where they had last stopped, George stepped back and cried:
"There he is now, right ahead of us."

"Let us be careful now; he may be angry." There was no alternative but
to fire. The shots were almost at the same instant, and to their great
relief the animal, after a single leap, fell down without a groan.

The approach was cautious, because experience had not taught them
whether it was safe immediately to make an examination of the body.
After some hesitation they went up closer, and when all doubts as to his
death had been dispelled a careful examination was made.

They found only a single shot wound between the shoulders.

Here was a dilemma, surely enough. The river fully a half mile away, if
not more, and the brute too large to carry, made them hesitate about
attempting to skin it in the absence of the Professor.

"I wish we knew what kind of an animal it is. We had better go home and
bring the Professor back with us in the morning."

So taking note of the surroundings, to familiarize themselves with the
location, they hurried back to the river, and rafted themselves over.
The Cataract home was reached about four o'clock, after one of the most
adventurous days spent on the island, although, in some respects, not as
exciting as their earlier experiences. They had begun to be veterans.
They were not merely boys.

Naturally, the Professor heard a stirring tale, and when it was all told
over and over again, he told them he thought that undoubtedly the region
beyond the river would turn out to be their hunting preserves, a
statement which the boys did not forget to profit by, as we shall see
later on.

"I wonder why we haven't seen more animals north of the South River?
There have been very few in this section," was George's observation.

"Undoubtedly the mountain region affords them safer retreats, and it is
one of the things which indicate to me that we shall find that section
very wild, and when we are in shape to do so may be able to have some
interesting and exciting times in that part of our domain," was the
Professor's response.

"But in South Africa wild animals are found in abundance on the plains."

"True; but they have very thick brush, or cover, owing to the luxurious
growth of vegetation. That affords them means for covering their retreat
when attacked."

Following out the usual custom while