Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1910-03-10

range long. He hesitated, and the
opportunity 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 a pause,
and the grass tops swayed only to
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
ly 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 a 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 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,
lowing me But say; couldn't you
manage to shin up palm, 20 feet or
SO, and hang on for couple of min
| utes?"
I-can't novel am"
Make a try! It'll give me a run
vator after you. Thatll bring the
buffer out on the hot-foot. l slip a
surprise between his ribs and we
view the scenery while he's passing
in his checks. Come; make a spurt!
He's around the turn and getting
nearer every STEP"
II can't-Tom-there is no need
| that both of 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. 1t 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 q
pause. Blake-c. ouched on one knee,
tense and abbreviated until the
sinister wave wss advancing into the
point Of the incurved jungle. Then he
spoke, in a low, even tone: Feel IL
my glass is there"
Her hand reached around and
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
nose'll stop a dog or a bull. It's a
chance"
She thrust the club under his right
elbow and he gripped 1t against his
side.
! At that moment the lion bounded
from cover, with roar like 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 mangle.
In two or three bounds he could have
leaped upon Blake and crushed him
with single stroke of his paw. AS he
rose to repeat his deafening roar 1t
| 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 un-
| known. Never before had any animal
that he had hunted reared up to meet
his attack in this strange manner.
Lie fiat" commanded Blake; "lie
| fiat, and don't move! I'm going to
call his bluff. 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"
TONI" 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 a spiral curve that would
bring him to the edge of the jungle
within 80 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