stopped to drink at every pool they
passed.

The route chosen was a different one this day, leading over a wide
undulating plain covered with an enormous thickness of rough herbage,
and dotted here and there with bushes. It was just the place to expect
to find a lion--offering the beast abundant chances for concealment; but
after being out four hours, they had seen nothing but antelopes, at
which they did not care to fire, since it would only have been to add a
fresh skin to their collection, and glut some of the vultures flying
slowly overhead. The glass was used again and again in vain, and at
last, so as to cover a wider view, Mr Rogers rode away about a mile to
the left, bidding his sons mind the land-marks so as to be able to reach
the waggon again.

Dick and Jack did not separate, and after a glance round to see if they
could make out any game, they resigned themselves to their fate, and
rode gently along.

"I'm hotter and more tired than I have ever been since we came out,"
cried Jack.

"So am I," said Dick. "Let's sling our guns over our shoulders. Oh,
isn't it hot."

"If we sling our rifles we shall come upon a lion, or something big."

"Well, let us. I'm too hot to shoot, and he'd be too hot to attack.
What does that little bird keep flying to us for, and then going away?"

"Got a nest somewhere here, and afraid we shall take its young."

"Perhaps so," said Dick lazily. "No, it isn't. I know what it is," he
cried excitedly, forgetting the heat and his idle languor.

"Well, what is it?" said Jack. "I know. It's a bird."

"It's the honey-guide," cried Dick, watching the twittering little thing
as it flew to him and then back, trying hard to draw their attention,
and to get them to follow it.

"I don't believe it would take us to any honey if we went after it."

"Well, let's try," said Dick. "Where's father?"

"Oh, right over there: a mile away. You can just see him."

"Well, we'll follow the bird," cried Dick. "I should like some honey.
It would be quite a treat."

"Come along, then," said Jack. "I'll do anything if it isn't too much
trouble. Come along. What's old Pomp found?"

They turned their horses, and were about to ride after the honey-guide,
when Pompey suddenly began baying furiously at a clump of very high
ferns and bushes, and Caesar went and joined him.

"Get your gun ready, Jack," said Dick excitedly. "It's a lion."

"Not it," replied Dick, "or those dogs wouldn