s following. The lion at first went along
leisurely; but when he heard the barking of the dogs and the shouts of
the hunters, who wanted him to turn so that they might get a shot at
him, he increased his speed.

In a short time Fangs got ahead of the other two dogs, and at length
almost reached the heels of the lion. This showed his courage more than
his discretion; for had the lion turned suddenly, he would have paid
dearly for his boldness; but probably the lion was scarcely aware how
close his pursuer was to him. On coming to the antelope in the tree, he
stopped and evinced a strong inclination to try and pull it down. He
saw, however, that it was beyond his reach, and again went on, until he
was in sight of the waggon and oxen; but fortunately he was seen, and
the Hottentots and Kaffirs began shrieking and shouting to drive him
off, while Crawford and Percy seized their guns, ready to fire as soon
as he should come near enough.

Fangs had kept all this time close after the chase, but well knew that
one kick from those powerful hind-paws would send him flying into the
air with a cracked skull.

Still, carried away by the excitement of the chase, he was on the point
of springing forward to throw himself on the lion's quarters, when the
latter became aware of his being so near, and making a bound forward,
stopped, turned, and crouched. Fangs saw his danger, and turned to
flee, barely in time to escape the claws of the lion who sprang after
him. Away Fangs went, however, fleet as the wind, followed by the lion,
with his mane flowing, his ears pricked forward, and his tail erect.
The dog took the direction in which his master was coming; but the lion
apparently did not perceive the hunters until he was within range of
their rifles.

"Now, my lads, show what you can do!" cried Hendricks. "I will reserve
my fire in case you should miss, you couldn't have a finer opportunity.
Denis, do you fire first."

Denis, highly pleased, raised his rifle and fired. His bullet merely
grazed the back of the lion, which at that instant, taking alarm, turned
aside and bounded off up the hill. The dogs made chase after him; but
Hendricks, fearing that they would perhaps encounter the lioness and
come to grief, called them back. Unwillingly they obeyed, and although
even Fangs, the bravest, would not have ventured to encounter the lion
face to face, they were all eager to go in chase of him when turning
tail.

Getting down