CHAPTER VII. 



AN ATTACK IN THE REAR. 



TJACK HARVEY, the Texan, formed a striking figure, as, with his left foot 

 ^j thrust forward, he brought his Winchester to his shoulder and aimed at the 

 * massive front of the lion. 



Mr. Godkin stood at his elbow with the flaring torch above his head, striving to 



give him all the light necessary, while Dick Brownell, Bob Marshall and the terrified 



natives were grouped just back of the couple, intently watching the exciting scene. 



Jack was cool and meant that the single shot when fired should be all-sufficient. 



The couchant lion held his paws, so as to inclose his motionless victim. With 



his dripping head raised and staring at the hunter, he gave utterance to threatening 



growls, as if daring the avenger to do his worst. 



Suddenly the bony finger pressed the trigger, a sharp report rang out, and the 

 sphere of lead, entering midway between the blazing eyes, plowed its path through 

 bone, muscle and brain into the vitals of the beast, which sprang convulsively to 

 its feet, whirled around like lightning and rolled over as dead as Julius Caesar. 



Then the whole group ran forward and bent over the prostrate Orak. A groan 

 showed he was conscious, and while Mr. Godkin held the torch, he was tenderly 

 lifted from the ground and borne to the camp, apparently more dead than alive. 



Half the distance was passed, when an outcry from the three natives that had 

 stayed behind proved that some new danger had burst upon the camp. 



"What's up now?" demanded Jack Harvey, breaking into a run. 



"Wild animals seem to travel in couples in this part of the world," replied 

 Bob Marshall, who had caught a glimpse of a second beast by the light of the camp 

 fires. 



He was right, as the others saw before he uttered the words. The lioness had 

 been lurking in the vicinity at the time of her mate's daring charge. Taking ad- 

 vantage of the diversion created by him, she made a foray into camp, where she 

 caused indescribable consternation. 



The horses, oxen and goats were roused by this time, and were so frightened 

 that there was danger of them breaking into a stampede, in which many would be 

 irrecoverably lost. 



Like the lion, his mate fixed her attention upon one of the natives, this time it 

 being Divak, the smallest and most insignificant member of the party. 



He had just risen to his feet, when the female was upon him. Though he was 

 armed only with a spear and knife, he made the best defense possible. 



Confronted by the raging beast, he let drive with his javelin, which h handled 

 with the deftness of a Zulu warrior. He aimed at the center of the animal's breast, 



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