The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1915-01-28

He shot a guinea. fowl and was rest
ing upon the bank waiting for the SUN
to rise before returning to camp. Sud
denly. as he sat there. he saw a sight
that completely unnerved him.
Five hundred yards away, fiat on his
stomach, visible only by reason of the
dark spot that he made against the
yellow grass, was Westoby. Westoby,
stalking Roberts, covering him with
his rifle and worming his way toward
him.
Roberts was paralyzed with horror.
1t was not fear of DEATH hit at that
distance was unlikely and it would be
easy enough to dodge into the bush
and make for camp, where he had
rifle. But Westoby wanted to kill him
and something wanted to kill West
Oby.
Two hundred PAGES behind WestOby
an enormous lion crouched on it's belly
1t, too, was worming its way through
the grass, hardly perceptible except to
Roberts trained eyes. And in two
minutes it would be near enough to
spring
Roberts sat and watched in fascina7
ton, unable to stir. How soon would
Westoby fire? When he reached the
top of that little knoll, no doubt-but
then the lion would be upon him.
1t seemed as though fate had both
men in the balance and were weigh
ing them; and, with grim sense Of
amusement, Roberts waited to see
what Westoby would do.
Westoby was within 400 yards now,
and the lion within 100 PAGES. Westo-
by was nearing the knoll. After him
the lion crawled, a huge and 1.-the body,
almost hidden by the grass. Roberts
could see the tip of it's tail swaying
slightly as it advanced.
Westoby had reached the knoll and
now lay still. He was covering Rob
erts. The lion was only so PAGES be-
hind him.
When would Westoby fire.? Roberts
sat quite still. He felt sure that West
oby would miss him. And Westoby
was neutrality-suspicious. he wanted to
make dead sure of his aim.
Roberts saw the lion rise and crouch
to, spring. A scream of horror broke
from Roberts lips. "Westoby!" he
yelled.
At that instant the lion sprang.
Westoby leaped to- his feet and
glanced backward. He was too late
to aim. The lion was upon him.
Westoby dubbed his rifle and brought
it down on the beasts skull. Next in
slant lion and NJ were lighting for
the mastery-for death and life.
Roberts ran toward them. But long
before he reached them the lion was
standing over its prey, worrying and
shaking WestOby as cat worries
mouse. Roberts fired his load of shot
into the lions heart.
Westoby opened his eyes. He was
frightfully mangled. He was dying
He could barely speak.
Forgive!" he whispered
Again Roberts stretched out his
hand and held the hand Of Westoby
How could he but forgive? The same
had assailed them both
Westoby seemed to read that, for he
whispered:
Il came to Africa to kill you, Rob-
erts. Mary loved you. / found that
ont. She was going to marry me out
of pique. She never loved me. She
always loved you"
you are not married." Roberts
cried.
WeStoby sllook his head family, and
his eyes closed. Then, opening them
again and summoning all his remain
ing strength, he whispered:
Il thought that if you were dead she
would learn to love me. l came TO
Africa to kill you. I meant to pre-
tend that we had met and that lion
had mangled you. Mary knew l was
coming. | had told her that / was go
ing to find you and bring you back to
her Forgive!"
And Roberts forgave. Five minutes
later Westoby died.