The Columbus journal., 1909-12-08

ana the grass tops swayed only 10
the dOwn-puffs Of the heightening 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 q 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 flash
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
manage to shin up palm, 20 feet or
SO. and hang ON for a couple of min
utes?"
'T-can't novel am"
Make a try! TIN give me a run
fer my money. III take the next ele-
vator after you. That1l bring the
l'luffer out on the hot-foot. slip q
surprise between his ribs and we
view the scenery while he's passing
in his checks. Come; make a squirt!
He's around the turn and getting
nearer every STEP"
Il can't-Tom-there is no need
that both lof.us-. You climb up"
He turned about as the meaning of
her whisper dawned upon him. Her
eyes were shining with the ecstasy of
self-sacrifice. It was only the glance
of an instant; then he was again
facing the jungle.
God! You think I'd do that"
She made no reply. There was .
pause. Blake-crouched on one knee,
tense and alert-was.ed until the
sinister wave was advancing into the
point Of the incurved jungle. Then he
spoke. in a low, even tone: Feel II
my glass is there"
Her hand reached around .Hd
pressed against the fob pocket which
he had sewn in the belt of his skin
trousers.
Right. Now slip my club up under
my elbow-big end. Lick ON the
nosell stop a dog or bull. It's a
chance"
She thrust the club under his right
elbow and he gripped it against his
side.
At that moment the lion bounded
from cover. with q roar like a clap of
thunder. Blake sprang erect. The
beast checked himself in the act of
leaping, and crouched with his great
paws outstretched, every hooked claw
thrust out ready to tear and Eangle.
In two or three bounds he could have
leaped upon Blake and crushed him
with a single stroke of his paw. AS he
rose to repeat his deafening roar it
seemed to Blake that he stood higher
than a horse-that his mouth gaped
wide as the end of a hogshead. And
yet the beast stood hesitating. re-
strained by brute dread of the I'M
known. Never before had any animal
that he had hunted reared up to meet
his attack In this strange manner.
Lie flat!" commanded Blake; lie
nat, and don't move! I'm going to
call his blum. Keep still till the poison
gets in its work. I'll keep him busy
long as l can. When it's over, hit
out for home along the beach. Keep
inside the barricade. and watch all
you can from the cliffs. Might light
fire up there nights. There's sure to
be a steamer before long"
TOM" she cried. struggling to her
knees-"Tom!"
But he did not pause or look
around He was beginning to circle
slowly to the left across the open
ground, in spiral curve that would
bring him to the edge of the Jungle
within 30 yards Of the lion. There was
red now showing in his eyes. His
hair was bristling. no longer with fear.
but with sheer brute fury; his lips
were drawn back from the clenched
teeth; his nostrils distended and quiv-
ering; his forehead wrinkled like that
Of an angry mastiff. His look was
more ferOcious than that of the
snarling beast he faced. All the
primeval in him was reused. He was
become q man Of the Cave Age. He
went to meet death, his mind and
body afiame with fierce lust to kill
CTo BE CONTINUEDJ
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