And the general and his son, leaping upon their steeds, dashed out from the grove in pursuit of the troop of lions.

These, passing between the two clumps of trees, were making for the plain beyond, when from behind the other grove a dark band of horsemen rode out.
"Let them pass," Hamilcar shouted; "do not head them back." The cavalry reined up until the troop of lions had passed.

Hamilcar rode up to the officer in command.
"Bring twenty of your men," he said; "let the rest remain here.

There will doubtless be more of them yet." Then with the twenty horsemen he rode on in pursuit of the lions.
The chase was an exciting one.

For a time the lions, with their long bounds, kept ahead of the horsemen; but the latter, splendidly mounted on their well bred steeds, soon began to gain.