y bringing its head down low
enough to have its nose rubbed, while it munched at the handful of fresh
tender shoots offered as a token of good will.

Then there were the horses to watch and tend, wood to cut, and fire to
make; so that there was plenty of work for all. But "willing hands make
light work," as the saying goes, and they were just congratulating
themselves upon the successful nature of their arrangements, the little
camp presenting all they required as a centre from which to start upon
hunting expeditions--to wit, good pasturage, abundant water, and
security against the attack of lions who might mistake their cattle for
the wild creatures of the plains.

"This place ought to do for a week, boys," said Mr Rogers; "and now
we'll take our rifles and have a look round to see what game we are
likely to find, and also keep a sharp look out for danger."

"Danger?" said Jack. "What sort?"

"Well, I should say there would be plenty of serpents in amongst those
sun-baked crags up above, probably a lion or two, plenty of eagles,
and--ah, it is impossible to say what we may meet with in a place like
this."

"I shall tell Dinny that crocodiles very likely swarm up here, that they
come up out of the river at this season of the year, and lie in wait
amongst the rocks."

"I think I would confine myself to the truth, Jack," said his father
drily. "Now, are you both loaded? Then come along."

It was a steep climb upwards, far more so than it looked from below, and
they were toiling up over the sunburnt grass towards where the rocks
rose up precipitously on either side of the narrow gully, when a word of
warning from the General arrested them, and the rifles of all were held
ready.

For all at once, from behind a mass of rock a couple of hundred yards in
front and above them, a large black rhinoceros trotted into view,
holding up its head, and displaying its two horns against the grey rock
behind him; and then seeing the hunting-party, it snorted and squealed
in a most peculiar pig-like fashion, and began to trot towards them.

"Don't fire unless you have a good chance," cried Mr Rogers; "and mind,
everybody must make for the rocks, and climb up for safety."

But there was no need for flight. Hardly had the clumsy-looking monster
commenced its headlong charge, when the precipitous rocks echoed to a
hollow roar, and a patch of dry grass seemed to have been suddenly
endowed with life, and to fling itself upon th