e was it for some of them that he
signalled his presence in the forest with that first loud roar, for had
he but crept to them, unwarning, as he was now doing, what a terrible
confusion he had thrown the panic-stricken people into! Not a sound was
heard as he neared them. It was only by the approaching bulk and dark
loom of him they knew he was advancing; but presently he again stopped,
and they heard the soft brushing of the grass, probably made with his
tail, as he twirled and tossed it about wantonly, and through the gloom
they saw two specks of luminous light, shine like miniature lanterns, by
which Selim was able to take aim. The hand of Moto lightly resting on
the Arab boy's shoulders, warned him and restrained him from firing.

For a moment the lion stood surveying the creatures he knew to be
crouched under the tree. He then was seen to move to the left, as if he
were about to make a circuit round them, but at every step he took Selim
turned his gun, resting on his knee, at him, completely covering him.
Suddenly he halted and confronted them, and a loud appalling roar broke
on their startled ears, terrible enough in its volume and sound to
unnerve the stoutest, and which caused little Niani and Abdullah to
shrink behind Simba and Moto, who in the meantime had prepared their
guns lest Selim's nerve might fail him at the critical and trying
moment. The form of the lion, now fearfully plain, came to the earth
with an almost imperceptible downward movement, and each second as it
passed, while he waited for the command, was freighted with keenest
anxiety to Selim.

Kalulu warned Moto that the beast was preparing for a spring. Then Moto
bade all be ready, and the word "Piga" (fire) was heard, sharp and
peremptory, and the three guns simultaneously belched flame and fire,
lit up the form of the then uprising lion, and a savage cry and dull
heavy thud upon the earth announced to these anxious souls that the
lion's spring was cut short, and that he was either dying or was dead.

They hastily raked the hot embers together, and throwing straw on it,
soon blew it into a bright blaze which threw a light over the late scene
of terror, and showed the lion's form stretched on its right side, with
its left fore-paw, vainly beating the air, and the opened jaws, the
gleaming white teeth, and protruding tongue, and the head almost split
asunder, where two bullets had entered home to the brain, and robbed him
of the cruel lif