VERNAAS AND HIS SON. 209 



Afterwards, the extended jaws of the beast embrace 

 the entire breadth of the man's chest, on which its 

 teeth leave four deep and bloody furrows. 



" The youth had fled to a distance of a hundred 

 paces, lie could see his father lying on the ground 

 under the lioness, and tremblingly awaited the 

 terrible results which seemed in no wise doubtful. 

 But presently the beast, whether owing to gene- 

 rosity, or being merely desirous of inflicting on 

 her assailant wound for wound, slowly, gravely, and 

 frequently looking behind her, walked away from 

 the victim. 



" All this time Vernaas had lain motionless as if 

 dead, but now that the brute had retreated, and his 

 oppressed breast could dilate more freely, he arose, 

 picked up his gun (the stock of which the lioness 

 had deeply scored with her fangs), and rejoined his 

 son. Then, reloading his piece, he retraced his 

 steps to the cluster of reeds in which the beast had 

 again taken refuge. 



" ' It is the lioness, or I myself,' said Vernaas to 

 his son, ' that must die before the lapse of an hour, 

 and that within two hundred paces of this spot.' 



* Yes, father, but how hard it is on me ; for, were 1 

 provided with a gun, 1 could kill the wicked beast 



when it has thee in its clutches I wish for a 



gun, father, dost thou comprehend;-' ' Yes, son, 

 the next time,' rejoined Vernaas. 



" They advanced together in silence, until they 

 reached the edge of the reed-bed in question. 



* Remain here, my son,' said the old man, who then 

 boldly entered the clump alone. Listening atten- 



r 



