“This is the critical moment, and the signal is given for half the party to fire.  If they are not successful in laying him dead on the spot with this first volley, he springs like a thunderbolt upon the horses.  The remainder of the party then fire, and seldom fail to put an end to him; but generally one or more of the horses are either killed or so wounded as to be destroyed in consequence; and sometimes, although rarely, one or more of the hunters share the same fate.  So you observe that, with every advantage, it is a service of danger, and therefore should not be undertaken without due precaution.”

“Very true, Swinton; but it will never do to return to the Cape without having killed a lion.”

“As you please; but even that would be better than being killed yourself by a lion, and not returning at all.  However, my opinion is that you will have to kill a lion before you have traveled much further, without going in quest of him.  There are hundreds of them here; as many as there are in Namaqua-land.”

“Look, master!” said Bremen, pointing to seven or eight splendid antelopes about a mile distant.

“I see,” replied the Major.  “What are they?”

“Gemsbok,” said Swinton.  “Now I will thank you for a specimen of that beautiful creature, if you can get it for me.  We must dismount, leave our horses here, and crawl along from tree to tree, and bush to bush, till we get within shot.”

“They are, indeed, noble animals.  Look at that large male, which appears to be the leader and master of the herd.  What splendid horns!” cried Alexander.

“Give the horses to Omrah and Swanevelt.  Bremen shall go with us.  Hist; not a word; they are looking in this direction.” said the Major.

“Recollect to try for the large male.  I want him most particularly,” said Swinton.

“Master,” said Bremen, “We must creep till we get those bushes between us and the game.  Then we can crawl through the bushes and get a good shot.”

“Yes, that will be the best plan,” said Swinton.  “As softly as we can, for they are very shy animals.”

They followed one another for two or three hundred yards, creeping from one covert to another, till they had placed the bushes on the plain between them and the herd.  They then stopped a little and reconnoitered.  The herd of antelopes had left off feeding, and now had all their heads turned toward the bushes, and in the direction where they were concealed; the large male rather in advance of the others, with his long horns pointing forward, and his nose close to the ground.  Our party kept silence for some time, watching the animals; but none of them moved much from their positions; and as for the male, he remained as if he were a statue.

“They must have scented us,” whispered Alexander.

“No, sir,” said Bremen; “the wind blows from them to us.  I can’t think what they are about.  But perhaps they may have seen us.”