lse.

As Sir Reginald emerged from the pilot-house, the professor, in a
low-toned murmur, advised his companions to take their binoculars and
note especially the behaviour of the gazelles. They did so, and
presently became aware that one animal in particular--a fine fat buck--
was exhibiting symptoms of very acute distress and terror, tossing his
head and stamping on the ground with his feet at every roar of the lion,
and holding himself back in an attitude that almost appeared to suggest
the idea that he was being pushed or pulled out of the line toward the
lion; yet there was nothing to show that this was actually the case.
Presently, however, at another roar from the lion, the buck actually
advanced a few paces out from the ranks of his fellows, evidently with
the utmost reluctance, and stood shivering palpably in mortal terror.

"Take your rifles, gentlemen," murmured von Schalckenberg. "We must
save that poor beast's life. But do not fire until I give the word, for
I should like you all to see a little more of this really remarkable
performance before we put an end to it. Boris, my friend, you have
never yet shot a lion, while the rest of us have. You are therefore
fairly entitled to the privilege of first shot. Take you, therefore,
the lion; one of us will account for the lioness. And remember that
your rifle will afford you twenty shots without reloading; if,
therefore, you should fail to kill with the first shot, peg away until
you do. Now, who is to be responsible for the lioness?"

"Let Mildmay take her," said Sir Reginald. "Lethbridge has already had
his shot; and yours and mine, Professor, can come later."

And so it was arranged. Meanwhile the lion, evidently encouraged by
what he had already accomplished, redoubled his efforts, sending forth
roar after roar, at every one of which the unfortunate buck, shivering
in every limb, and with tears streaming down his cheeks, advanced a pace
or two nearer the lion. At length, however, the sight of the animal's
distress became too painful for Lady Olivia, and, lowering her
binoculars, she exclaimed, in low, tense accents--

"Oh, please put an end to it, somebody! It is cruel of us to allow that
pretty creature to go on suffering such agonies of terror simply because
the sight happens to be of an interesting and singular nature. Surely
we have seen enough, have we not?"

For answer Colonel Sziszkinski raised his rifle to his shoulder and,
taking st