HEAVY TOIL IN SANDY SOIL. 399 



up, to make experiments, so I resolved to push on till I 

 reached the vley, where I anticipated finding it. 



The sand along the track was so fearfully loose, such 

 as you sometimes find by the coast, that it seems to 

 pass away backwards under the pressure of jour, foot, 

 and cut short the length of your pace by one-half, 

 so I took to walking until we got at least on better 

 ground. 



This was reached in about a mile and a half, and, 

 without exception, it was as wearisome a tramp for the 

 distance as ever I experienced. But, thank goodness! 

 there is an end to all things, and at length I had the 

 satisfaction of feeling firm soil beneath my feet. As 

 the day was not yet old, and desiring to rest Ruby, I 

 thought I would tramp on a little farther, so passing my 

 arm through the reins I . led the way, she following 

 close on my heels. Among her many good qualities 

 this was one she possessed, most valuable in a hunter's 

 horse, and even when I would halt to shoot she would 

 stop and never jerk back, as too many will, to the cer- 

 tain destruction of the aim of the marksman. Thus we 

 had gone on possibly a mile from where we had left the 

 sand, when I felt almost an imperceptible tightening of 

 the rein across my shoulder ; I turned round to see, if 

 possible, what could be the cause, when I observed 

 Ruby's eyes very much expanded, and gazing to our left 

 front ; following the direction indicated, about sixty 

 yards in advance, and close to the road, I discovered a 

 large male lion, with a magnificent dark mane. 



He had already discovered our approach, and was 

 standing up, switching his flanks, yet looking irresolute 

 whether to retire or advance. While hesitating what 

 was the best course of action to pursue, the king of 



