136 LIFE WITH THE HA MR AN ARABS. 



Sam going lame and pointing to his thigh, and as the 

 lion turned his course after the shot they ran forward to 

 try to cut him off. This they effectually succeeded in 

 doing, for the lion politely met their intentions half- 

 way by facing round, and with one loud roar coming 

 towards them at a trot. Coke then decided upon not firing 

 again until it was close up to him, and knelt down for 

 a steady shot, so on it came, and just as Coke pulled 

 the trigger a tug from behind brought him nearly on 

 his back, and of course sent the muzzle of his rifle in the 

 air. There was nothing now left to be done but to run 

 for his life, and off he went as fast as his legs could carry 

 him, expecting every moment to feel a gentle pat on the 

 back. Most fortunately there was a hill close in front 

 of him, and having gained this he was safe, for his 

 wounded enemy could no longer follow him ; and whilst 

 crouching in the grass at the bottom, and growling at 

 his ill-luck, he received his death-blow. Uncle Sam in 

 the meantime had bolted in an opposite direction, little 

 realising that in trying to save his master from the jaws 

 of the lion he very nearly succeeded in causing him to 

 fall into them. When they arrived home he explained 

 his conduct by saying that he thought his master's rifle 

 must be unloaded, and as he was unarmed and could not 

 protect him, he believed their only chance of escape was 

 to run away. 



We can now afford to laugh over his narrow escape, 



