THE 01.IMMKR OF A CAMP-FIRE. 



271 



lasted ; and the latter, finding he was not pursued, regained enough courage to 

 top a short distance, and peering back, as well as his species can in the gloom, he 

 must have wondered that he was spared by the monster. 



Possibly some inkling of the truth entered his thick head, for he not only 

 remained motionless several minutes, but turned about to renew his attack. Instead 

 of approaching, however, in a straight line, he circled over the plain, so as to get 

 to the rear of his intended victim an act that is in accord with the sneaking 

 nature of the king of beasts. 



Fortunately, Dick was not unmindful of this peculiar peril, and was guarding, as 

 best he could, against it. The beast emitted no growl, but the lightning, which had 

 done the youth more than one good turn that evening, favored the lad again, by 

 bowing his enemy in the very act of flanking him. 



CAUGHT THR STAR-LIKE TWINKLE. 



Dick now did what he 

 ought to have done be- 

 fore. Spreading out the 

 canvas, so as to make it look as strange 

 as possible, he began flapping his 

 wings, like some immense bird, and, 

 uttering the most dismal cries, headed 



for the animal that was so anxious to dine upon him. That was altogether more 

 than the lion wanted, and away he scampered. 



It was out of Dick's power to learn whither the beast went, but he kept up his 

 pursuit, knowing it was the wisest thing to do, though he was in constant dread of 

 colliding with some object, animate or inanimate. He paused at intervals, and 

 looked and listened, but neither saw nor heard anything. 



" I guess it's about time I went back to camp," was his natural conclusion ; " 1 

 expect I will catch it from Mr. Godkin and Jack, for running off in this way, without 

 my gun." 



He was breathing rapidly from his severe exertion, for he had run a long 

 distance. He recalled that part of it had been up and down hill, and it seemed to 

 him that once he had splashed through some water. 



Be that as it may, Dick Browneil awoke to the unpleasant fact that he had 



