A STRANGE SCENE. 107 



But the bull read aright the purpose of his foe, and met it in a singular way. 

 Instead of throwing up his head, as Dick expected him to do, he leaped lightly to 

 one side, and, the instant the lion landed, went at him like a demon. 



The brute had no time to gather himself for effectual resistance. While striving 

 to do so, he was shoved on his side and knocked over again, still snarling and striv- 

 ing desperately to regain his feet 



Seeing the lion was helpless, the bull jammed his side a third time with such 

 fury that one of the long horns was driven almost through the body. 



It was a fatal wound, but the king of beasts in his dying struggles inflicted more 

 than one serious hurt on his conqueror, who, drawing back his massive head, 

 rammed him again, even after all semblance of life had departed, until, with a fierce 

 snort, he flung the senseless body a dozen feet away, as though it were a bundle of 

 rags. 



"Hurrah !" shouted the excited Dick, swinging his hat; "you made a gallant 

 fight, and I feel as though I would like to shake hands with you 



The youth's congratulations were cut short, for, at that moment, he became 

 aware that the buffalo appeared to have made up his mind to " shake hands " with 

 a vengeance. 



