e the adroit Hottentot had flayed the carcass sufficiently
to reveal the mortal injury. The projectile had entered the chest, and
slanting upwards, had burst among the vitals, reducing them to a gory
pulp. The lion must have died in the air, when he bounded on receiving
the fatal shot.

The Hottentot uttered a cry of admiration. "Not the lion king of all,
nor even the white man," he said; "but Enfeel rifle!"

Staines's eyes glittered. "You shall have it, and the horse, for your
diamond," said he eagerly.

The black seemed a little shaken; but did not reply. He got out of it
by going on with his lion; and Staines eyed him, and was bitterly
disappointed at not getting the diamond even on these terms. He began to
feel he should never get it: they were near the high-road; he could not
keep the Hottentot to himself much longer. He felt sick at heart. He had
wild and wicked thoughts; half hoped the lioness would come and kill the
Hottentot, and liberate the jewel that possessed his soul.

At last the skin was off, and the Hottentot said, "Me take this to my
kraal, and dey all say, 'Squat a great shooter; kill um lion.'"

Then Staines saw another chance for him, and summoned all his address
for a last effort. "No, Squat," said he, "that skin belongs to me. I
shot the lion, with the only rifle that can kill a lion like a cat. Yet
you would not give me a diamond--a paltry stone for it. No, Squat, if
you were to go into your village with that lion's skin, why the old men
would bend their heads to you, and say, 'Great is Squat! He killed the
lion, and wears his skin.' The young women would all fight which should
be the wife of Squat. Squat would be king of the village."

Squat's eyes began to roll.

"And shall I give the skin, and the glory that is my due, to an
ill-natured fellow, who refuses me his paltry diamond for a
good horse--look at him--and for the rifle that kills lions like
rabbits--behold it; and a hundred pounds in good gold and Dutch
notes--see; and for the lion's skin, and glory, and honor, and a rich
wife, and to be king of Africa? Never!"

The Hottentot's hands and toes began to work convulsively. "Good master,
Squat ask pardon. Squat was blind. Squat will give the diamond, the
great diamond of Africa, for the lion's skin, and the king rifle, and
the little horse, and the gold, and Dutch notes every one of them. Dat
make just two hundred pounds."

"More like four hundred," cried Staines very loud. "And h