40 IN AFRICA 



their heels, dragging the empty ring and chain of 

 the late number ten. All night long they ran until 

 finally they became exhausted and fell asleep. In 

 the afternoon they again resumed their march, 

 hopeful once more. But alas ! again. 



Along about supper-time they heard the distant 

 roar of a lion. Presently it sounded nearer and soon 

 the gleaming eyes of the lion appeared once more 

 among the jungle grass. Once again they were 

 frozen with horror as the hungry beast devoured 

 the last man in the row number nine. Again they 



While the Man-Eater Finished His Supper 



sat helpless while the man-eater slowly finished his 

 supper, and again they were overjoyed to see him 

 depart from their midst. As soon as the last vestige 

 of his tail had disappeared from view they scram- 

 bled up and hiked briskly toward the coast, nine 

 days away. 



They were now thoroughly alarmed, and almost 

 dreaded the supper hour. The next night the lion 

 caught up with them again and proceeded to de- 

 vour number eight. He then peacefully ambled 

 away, leaving another empty ring. 



