rned to handle animals, especially big cats of
different sorts."

"How do you do it?"

"A man does it by first mastering the wild animals in himself. Then he
must have learned never to be afraid."

"Is that all?"

"He must always be fair to them. I mean he must never take advantage
of them; never do anything to them that would make him fight back, if
he were in their place."

"I am thinking what a difference there is between your standpoint and
that of the hunters of wild animals I know. But tell me--have you ever
been afraid?"

"Yes, once."

"Really afraid?"

"Yes."

"I want to hear about it some day, if you will be so good; but first I
want to tell you a story of fear; two kinds of fear. There has been no
one I could speak to--and I am in need of help."

"I would like to help you. Tell on."

"Do you know much about hyenas?"

"I know they are the most unclean of all beasts. I have never heard
that they are dangerous to men."

"Sometimes they are. Only a little way from where we sit in this
jungle, a woman was killed and eaten last year, by a hyena. But I am
not afraid for myself. I have said my fear is of two kinds. First, I
am seriously concerned for the children; especially the baby. She is
frail at her best and if it were not for her long afternoon naps, I am
unwilling to think what would come to her just from the sort of thing
which has been happening. She is highly organised; and one has heard
that any kind of nerve-shock is most dangerous to such children. Then,
there is a different kind of fear, _quite_ different; it is for her
Great Dane dog."

"Won't he charge them?"

"That is the most awful part of it. Of all creatures I have ever
known, I may as well say of all people I have ever known, he has the
most splendid courage. One night in every week he is taken to Bhanah's
own quarters, so that his master shall not be disturbed. The change
seemed to relieve him, at first. But--one who had not seen could never
conceive how gradually, through the long, long nights--I have watched
his almost super-human courage--breaking."

Skag opened his lips to speak, but she put up her hand.

"This is hard to tell because I have never known that I could be
afraid. I have always supposed that I had perfect courage. But while
Nels' courage has been in the wrecking, my own has been wrecked--quite!"

Her voice was very low and very bitter.

"I don't believe it's as bad as that."

She gl