The Major and Alexander then turned their horses’ heads, and rode slowly toward the hill which they had noticed, and the antelopes which the Major had observed were now seen among the bushes which crowned the hill.  Bremen said that he did not know the animals, and the Major was most anxious to obtain one to surprise Swinton with.  As soon as they came within two hundred yards of the bushes on the other side of which the antelopes were seen, the Major gave his horse to Omrah and advanced alone very cautiously, that he might bring one down with his rifle.  He gained the bushes without alarming the animals, and the party left behind were anxiously watching his motions, expecting him every moment to fire, when the Major suddenly turned round and came back at a hurried pace.

“What is the matter?” said Alexander.

“Matter enough to stop my growth for all my life,” replied the Major.  “If ever my heart was in my mouth, it was just now.  I was advancing softly, and step by step, toward the antelopes, and was just raising my rifle to fire, when I heard something flapping the ground three or four yards before me.  I looked down, and it was the tail of a lioness, which fortunately was so busy watching the antelopes with her head the other way, that she did not perceive my being near her; whereupon I beat a retreat, as you have witnessed.”

“Well, what shall we do now?”

“Wait a little till I have recovered my nerves,” said the Major, “and then I’ll be revenged upon her.  Swinton is not here to preach prudence, and have a lion-hunt I will.”

“With all my heart,” replied Alexander.  “Bremen, we are going to attack the lioness.”

“Yes, sir,” said Bremen; “then we had better follow Cape fashion.  We will back the horses toward her, and Omrah will hold them while we will attack her.  I think one only had better fire, so we keep two guns in reserve.”

“You are right, Bremen,” said Alexander.  “Then you and I will reserve our fire, and the Major shall try his rifle upon her.”

With some difficulty the horses were backed toward the bush, until the Major could again distinguish where the lioness lay, at about sixty paces’ distance.  The animal appeared still occupied with the game in front of her, watching her opportunity to spring, for her tail and hind-quarters were toward them.  The Major fired, and the animal bounded off with a loud roar; while the antelopes flew away like the wind.  The roar of the lioness was answered by a deep growl from another part of the bush, and immediately afterward a lion bolted out, and bounded from the bushes across the plain, to a small mimosa grove about a quarter of a mile off.

“What a splendid animal!” said Alexander; “look at his black mane, it almost sweeps the ground.”

“We must have him,” cried the Major, jumping on his horse.