The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1900-09-03

morrow and whether 1 succeed or not
I'll go with you to Ravenscleugh."
Are YOU going back to England also!
asked Forester in an eager tone.
'Well, yes. perhaps. I ought to nave
done so long ago. but better late thah
never I shall not get away as soon as
YOU. / have a good deal to settle up 1lrst.
However. let us take one day more We IL
be off tomorrow at dawn. and see III We
can get a shot at our enemy.
Done" said Forester, with sudden
impulse for a moment before he had been
thinking that he could we'll dispense with
North's company on his journey An I'M
accustomed second thought, however,
suggested that 1t was Impossible TO an
ticipate what chance the next days hunt
ing might offer, of suppressing the incon-
venient kinsman, who stood between MIN
and all his soul longed for.
The next morning broke bright ana
warm, and North with his masked Zoe
set out a little later than they Intended,
Forester having oversight himself Inc
hut had been built on the edges or the
forest where it thinned out TO a stretch
of veIdt beyond which came marshy
district, with pools of water thickiy
bordered by reeds and separated from
each other by an abundant growth OF
bushes.
Kapain and another Lakahari native
followed leading the dogs and for a con-
siderable distance found no traces OF the
creatures they sought. They shot one On
two springboks and birds which they COW
cred up with branches of trees and bush
es until they should return. few of the
carnivora being On the prowl during
broad daylight.
On reaching the marshy ground. the
spoor of lions was abundant, still the
day was beginning to close IN DeIore
Ial
of the larger pools, North's practiced eye
was caught by a suspicious movement IN
the mass OF rushes which filled up a
hollow in the bank. He Sprang from MS
horse, calling to kapain TO let the dogs
go, he threw the bride to the other ma
i've and began to urge the dogs into the
reeds, following them as he did So
Suddenly a low angry growl caught
Forrester's ear and a huge lion with an
enormous black, or nearly black mane
Sprang out of the cover and stood gar
ing at them for half a second, flashing
his tail. lie had come out behind NOrth
and between him and his horse. Quick
as lightning North swung round his rifle,
fired and missed him, for as he did so
the lion perceiving the horse, with anoth-
err thunderous growl sprang upon 1t and
digging teeth and claws into his neck
and shoulders dragged him TO the ground.
The Lakahari let so the bride and gal
loped to a safe distance. Forester, now
ever seized his rifle, without dismount-
ing and sent a ball into the infuriated
animal striking some vital part. Ihe
lion uttered a fearful roar and falling
over i'm the death agony, but still clutch
ing the poor horse In his cruel claws,
moaned once or twice, and lay still in
death.
North who was fond of his horse start
ed to put him out of his pain for he was
horribly smashed. bat suddenly Forces
ter saw him fall to the ground and has
tening to see what had happened found
he had caught his foot in the twisted
roots of one of the numerous bushes
surrounding them and had sprained his
ankle so severely that he was unable TO
Never mind me-" cried North. 'If
there is any life left in my poor horse
20 and put an end To his sufferings He
has carried me well for many day!
II don't think there can be, but III
60" He went off. the report of shot
was heard and soon he rejoined North.
Cant you get up?' he asked.
Not without help. l must manage TO
get on Kapain's horse and back to our
hut. | have gone through this before
and know how to treat myself. Call up
that Lakahari dog: he is in a blue funk.
Hearing and seeing no further signs OF
the lion the Lakahari after-rider slowly
approached and exulted greatly over the
defsE&ct lion talking Slibly in his own
toIrsue evidently offering a tribute of
praise to the conquerOr.
Then kapain came up and amongst
them they placed North on the latter
horse and managed to convey him back
to the hut where Forester deftly bound
administering soothing drinks of cold tea
and lemon juice and water. for he was
bruised and shaken.
Next dav he was very feverish and IN
sisted that Forester should prepare 10
start toward nichtfall, for the moon
would he at the full and as the sky was
clear and the weather fine he could ac-
complish a good many miles before morn
ing.
''Push on to Ravenscleugh like good
fellow" said North, land send Numjala
on to me as soon as you can. He Is
firstrate nurse. and il will be no use my
attempting to move for some days. ka-
pain shall go with you; you can under
stand him and he YOU. while l am rather
accomplished in the Lakahari lingo. The
best service YOU can do me is TO send
on Numiala and n fresh horse. We have
plenty of food and these black fellows
shall patch up the hut which has been
a bit blown about.
1t was a busy day. Kapain and his
compatriot made a grand job of the hut.
They gathered the long yellow withered
grass which lay about in profusion; they
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