into two pieces by the bullet after it (the bullet) had passed
through the head of the lion. And, as the "Ingoldsby Legends" say,
"nobody was one penny the worse," except the wild beasts. The man,
however, had had a parroty time, and it was a good hour before I
could bring him round, during which he finished my brandy. He
still wore gloves. What he was doing in Omuborumbunga's country I
do not know to this day. I never found the diamond again, though I
hunted long. But I must say that two better right and left shots,
considering that I had no time to aim, and that they were really
snapshots, I never remember to have made in my long experience.

This is the short and the long of the matter, which was talked of a
good deal in the Colony, and about which, I am told, some
inaccurate accounts have got into the newspapers. I hate writing,
as you know, and don't pretend to give a literary colour to this
little business of the shots, but merely tell a "plain, unvarnished
tale," as the "Ingoldsby Legends" say.

As to the Stranger, what he was doing there, or who he was, or
where he is now, I can tell you nothing. He told me he was bound
for "the almighty mountains of Dry-facts and Realities," which he
kindly pointed out to me among the carvings of his walking-stick.
He then sighed wearily, very wearily, and scooted. I think he came
to no good; but he never came in my way again.

And now you know the yarn of the two stuffed lions and the
alligator with the eagle in his jaws.

Ever yours,
ALLAN QUATERMAIN.