298 AFRICAN ADVENTURE STORIES 



Then he crouched low, his shoulder-blades pro- 

 truding above his back, and slunk off to the 

 right in an effort to get behind me. I kept 

 facing him, however, and, finding himself baffled, 

 he stood for a second, then came for me like a 

 shot, growling hoarsely, his jaws wide open. 



"At the very instant that he was about to 

 spring the whip-lash all but cut him in the face, 

 which again brought him to an erect position. 

 Once more I began backing toward home, and 

 again gained several yards before he came to his 

 full senses. He was getting accustomed to the 

 harmless crack of the bull-whip, and I knew 

 that soon it would have no effect upon him. 



"At his present rate of progress it would be 

 but a few minutes before he would get within 

 springing distance, and if once he sprang at me 

 I should be as helpless as a mouse in the jaws of 

 a cat. 



"I was debating as to whether I should make 

 a rush at him in an attempt to intimidate him 

 when I heard a shot from behind me. The lion 

 fell to the ground mortally wounded, but raised 

 himself upon his forefeet and, growling sav- 

 agely, began to bite at his side. 



"Instantly I turned to run and saw father, 



