GERARD, THE LI OX HUNTER 65 



The only weapon she had was the little axe which she 

 used in her wood-cutting ; but if she had been armed with 

 a gun, a pistol and a dagger as well, she would have been 

 far too frightened to use them — so majestic, proud and 

 powerful was this lion. Her limbs trembled under her, 

 and she would have screamed aloud for help, but her voice 

 died in her throat. She felt sure the lion was going to 

 make signs to her to follow him, so that he might devour 

 her at his ease, in some favourite spot, for lions are not 

 only greedy but dainty. 



' I am quite willing to admit that, my dear Gerard,' 

 broke in Dumas; 'but I did not quite understand one 

 remark you made.' 



'Which?' 



' You said she was sure the lion was going to make 

 signs to her to follow him? ' 



'Yes. Well?' 



' Ask Amida whether, when a lion meets an Arab, he 

 takes the trouble to carry him off? ' 



Amida shook his head, and raised his eyes in a way 

 which clearly implied : ' Ah, indeed ! he's not such a fool 

 as that.' 



Dumas pressed for further particulars, and was told 

 what he did not know before, that lions have magic 

 powers. A lion has only to gaze for a few moments at a 

 man, and he completely fascinates him, and the man has 

 to follow the lion wherever he pleases. This point settled, 

 Gerard went on : 



The girl then paused, trembling, and expecting a sign 

 from the lion to follow him, when, to her great surprise, 

 she saw him approach, gently, smiling, after his fashion, 

 and bowing in a polite manner. 



She crossed her hands on her breast and said : ' What 

 does my lord desire of his humble servant ? ' 



The lion replied quite clearly, ' Anyone as lovely as 

 you are, Aissa, is a queen, not a servant.' 



Aissa stared in astonishment at this answer, delighted 

 K f 



