water,
some of the more energetic among them went off to search for game.
Among these were the brothers Bowker.

"There's very likely a buffalo or something in that bush over there,"
said Septimus Bowker, who was the owner of the "post-office" hat.
"Come, Mr Considine, you wanted to--Where's Considine?"

Every one looked round, but Considine and Hans were not there. One of
the Skyds, however, remembered that they had fallen behind half an hour
before, with the intention of procuring something fresh for supper.

"Well, we must go without him. He wanted to shoot a buffalo. Will no
one else go?"

No one else felt inclined to go except Junkie Brook, so he and the four
Bowkers went off, Septimus pressing the "post-office" tightly on his
brows as they galloped away.

They had not far to go, game of all kinds being abundant in that region,
but instead of finding a buffalo or gnu, they discovered a lioness in a
bed of rushes. The party had several dogs with them, and these went
yelping into the rushes, while the brothers stationed themselves on a
mound, standing in a row, one behind another.

The brother with the tall white hat stood in front. Being the eldest,
he claimed the post of honour. They were all fearless men and crack
shots. Junkie was ordered to stand back, and complied with a bad grace,
being an ardent sportsman.

"Look out!" exclaimed the brother in front to the brothers in rear.

"Ready!" was the quiet response.

Next moment out came the lioness with a savage growl, and went straight
at Septimus, who cocked his gun as coolly as if he were about to slay a
sparrow.

While the enraged animal was in the act of bounding, Septimus fired
straight down its throat and suddenly stooped. By so doing he saved his
head. Perhaps we should say the tall white hat saved it, for the
crushing slap which the lioness meant to give him on the side of the
head took effect on the post-office, and scattered its contents far and
wide. Spurning Septimus on the shoulders with her hind-legs as she flew
past, the lioness made at the brothers. Firm as the Horatii stood the
other three. Deliberate and cool was their action as they took aim.
Junkie followed suit, and the whole fired a volley, which laid the
lioness dead at their feet.

Gathering himself up, Septimus looked with some concern at the white hat
before putting it on. Remarking that it was tough, he proceeded to pick
up its literary contents, while his brothe