The newspaper., 1909-09-24
CONTINUED from page threel
onIv one of these African buffaloes

f1OW ne lOOh .-uoihS-
IL didn't see any. 1t was all
shaggy, and yellow like the grass,
and terrible eyes-Oh!"
The girls scream was met by a fe-
rocious, snarling roar, SO deep and
prolonged that the air quivered and
the very ground seemed to shake.
Coda lion," cried Blake, the
hair on his bare head bristling like
startled animals.
He turned squarely about toward
the ridge, his bow half drawn. Had
the lion shown himself then Blake
would have shot on the instant. AS 1t
was. the beast remained behind the
screening border of grass, where he
could watch his intended quarry with
out being seen in turn. The delay
gave Blake time for reflection. He
spoke sharply, as it were biting off his
words: Hit out. I'll stop the buffer"
Il can't. oh. I'm afraid"
Again the hidden beast gave voice
to his mighty rumbling challenge.
Still he did not appear, and Blake at.
tempted a derisive jeer: Hey. there,
louder! We've not run yet, It's all
right, little woman. The skulking
sneak is trying to bluff us. 'Fraid to
come out if we don't stampede. He'll
make off when he finds we don't scare.
Lions never tackle men in the day
Time. just keep ccol a while.
He'll"
"Look!-there to the right.-I saw
him again, Hes creeping around!
See the grass moye,'
That's only the wind. 1t edcies
down-God, he is stalking around.
frying to take us from behind-curse
him, He may get me. but I'll get
MIN. too-the dirty sneak,"
The blood had flowed back into
Blake's face. and showed on each
cheek in a little red patch. His broad
resplrations: his eyes glowed like
balls of white-hot steel. He drew his
bow a little tauter and wheeled slow
ly to keep the arrow pointed at the
slight wave in the grass which marked
the stealthy movements of the lion.
Miss Leslie. more terrified with every
added moment OF suspense. cringed
around. that she might keep him be-
tween her and the hidden beast.
Minute after minute dragged by.
Only man Of Blake's obstinate. sui
len temperament could have withstood
the strain and kept cool. Even he
found the impulse to leap up and run
all but Irresistible. Miss Leslie
crouched behind him. no more able
to run than a mouse with which a cat
has been playing.
Once they caught a glimpse of the
sinuous tawny form gliding among the
leafless stems of a thorn clump. Blake
took quick aim: but the outlines OF
the beast were indistinct and the
range long. He hesItated. and the
was lost
Yard by yard they watched the
slight swaying OF the grass tops which
betrayed the cautious advance OF the
grim stalker. The beast did not roar
again. Having failed to flush his
game. he was seeking TO catch them
off their guard. or perhaps was warily
taking stock of the strange creatures,
whose like he had never seen.
Now and then there was n pause.
anu iif bidHH ApHo nNasfN 'Aat ~
the down-pufs OF the helghtening gale.
At such moments the two grew rigid.
watching and waiting in breathless
suspense. They could see. as distinct
Iy as though there had been no screen
ing grass. the baleful eyes of the huge
cat and the shaggy forebody as the
beast stood still and glared out at
them.
Then the sinuous wave would start
on again around the grass border. and
Blake would draw In deep breath
and mutter word OF encouragement
to the girl: Look. now-the dirty
sneak Trying to give us the creeps.
is he? I'll creeps him. 'Fraid TO
show his pretty mug"
Not until the beast had circled half
around the glade did his purpose fash
upon Blake With the wariness OF
all savage hunters, the animal had
marked out the spur of jungle on the
north side. where he could creep
closer to his quarry before leaping
from cover.
"The damned sneak" growled
Blake. You there, jenny"
She could not speak, but he heard
her gasp.
Brace up, little woman! Where's
your grit? You're out of this deal,
anyway. He'll choke to death swal-
lowing me- But say; couldn't you
.u1. fAA