ious to spring upon us. I then
became puzzled to know the reason why this fierce king of the forest
should be kept in captivity at this depth if not to guard some entrance
or exit. For a few moments I reflected, and at length arrived at the
conclusion that during our progress we had slowly ascended towards the
earth's surface, and that through the lion's den was the exit of that
subterranean way. Again, we had neither seen nor heard sign of the
fugitive chieftain. By some means or other he must have succeeded in
passing the ferocious brute, and if he had accomplished it, we surely
could also.

With my words half drowned by the continuous roar of the fiery-eyed
guardian of the secret burrow, I explained briefly to Liola the result of
my reflections, and then set about to ascertain the length of the chain
holding the animal. After several experiments, allowing it to spring
forward at me half-a-dozen times and narrowly escaping its ponderous paws
more than once, I ascertained that the chain was just short enough to
allow a person to cross the chamber flattened against the opposite wall.

Holding the lamp still in my hand and urging Liola to brace her nerves
and watch me closely, I essayed the attempt, creeping cautiously with my
back against the roughly-hewn side of the underground lair, and drawing
my garments about me to prevent them being hooked by the cruel claws that
followed me within a yard during the whole distance. Before my eyes the
big shaggy head wagged continuously, the great jaws with their terrible
teeth opened, emitting terrific roars of rage and closed again with a
dull ominous click, while the chain was strained until I feared it might
be rent asunder.

Through several minutes mine was a most horrible experience, for I knew
not whether the wall was even; if not, I must have fallen beneath the
ferocious claws. However, I managed to successfully cross the brute's
den, and shouting to Liola that the passage was perfectly safe, providing
she kept her garments closely about her and did not remove her back from
the wall, held up the light to her.

With reassuring words she commenced to follow my example, and when the
brute saw me in safety and noticed her approach, he left me and sprang
towards her. But again he fell short, almost strangled by the pressure
upon the iron collar that held him. With an awful roar, his jaws snapping
in rage, and his paws constantly clutching at her, he followed her
closely just