ot harm the
pelt. The instant he came into view of the wounded beast, however, the
latter revived.

With one terrific roar he sprang to his feet as if uninjured. His green
eyes blazed with fury, and his lips were drawn back until his long,
yellow teeth were exposed in a snarl that struck Burt cold, for the boy
was barely a dozen feet away. The men had fled instantly, only Mvita
remaining beside Burt. The latter, taken by surprise, gave a step
backward, lifting his rifle.

Just as the beast was in the act of springing, Burt fired. The heavy
bullet missed the eye and glanced off the sharply backward-sloping head
of the brute, but its terrific impact was sufficient to stop the animal
for the instant. Burt heard a yell from Critch, and was tempted to turn
and run. The lion was up immediately, however, and again Burt stepped
back and pulled the trigger.

This time, however, his foot caught in the grass. The bullet went wild,
and the terrified boy gave himself up for lost. A tremendous thud and
crash at his side told him that the lion had sprung; then a quick flash
of red caught his eye as he rolled over and gained his feet.

The flash of red came from the robe of Mvita, whose faith in the white
hunters had given way at the last moment. Seeming to realize all at once
the danger of his situation, he turned and ran just as Burt fell, with a
shrill scream. Beyond doubt this movement had saved Burt's life, for the
brilliant red robe caught the eye of the lion, who at once gave chase to
the yelling chief.

Burt, pale and excited, gained his feet just as the lion was catching up
with Mvita. Lifting his rifle, he fired. To his dismay the bullet missed
completely, throwing up the dust beyond Mvita. In a desperate effort to
save the man before it was too late, Burt pumped at the magazine. At the
same instant Mvita made a quick swerve. The lion also turned, coming
broadside on to Burt. Just as Mvita was about to be brought down, the
boy fired. The lion dropped in the middle of his spring, his back
broken. A shot from Critch's rifle struck him as he lay, and Burt
finally put a bullet through the lion's brain.

Relieved and rather weak-kneed at the imminent danger, Burt looked
around for his chum. He was astonished to see Critch, who had hastily
returned, give a gasp, then burst into a roar of laughter. Whirling
about, Burt stared over the body of the lion and then went into a spasm
of mirth.

The sight that met his eyes turned