or the result with breathless excitement, and the next
moment ran out of the hut towards the scene of the struggle; for, stung
to madness by the bullet, the fierce animal had left its first victim,
and with a spring which carried it at least six feet in the air, dashed
the plucky burgher to the ground. Jack slipped his thumb on to the
magazine catch and opened it; then, taking a steady aim, he pulled the
trigger, and sent a bullet crashing through the lion's body. It failed
to touch a vital spot, and once more sighting for the angry beast's
head, Jack discharged his weapon. But again the small bullet failed to
kill, and, roused to madness by his wounds, the lion roared savagely and
sprang at him.

To lift his rifle and fire at the flying mass was the work of a moment.
Next second Jack was struck senseless to the ground, and lay there
motionless, almost smothered by the huge limp animal lying stone-dead
upon him.

When Jack recovered consciousness again, two bearded men were bending
over him, and were gently dressing a large wound in his shoulder. With
a dying effort the huge African lion had struck him on the shoulder, and
had torn a deep gash in his chest and arm, and this the Boers were now
tending. Finding that their patient was sensible again, they smiled
kindly at him, and soon afterwards applied dressings.

It was an extremely painful operation, but Jack bore it all without a
murmur. Then he was given some weak brandy and water.

"How do you feel now?" asked one of the Boers. "Better, I hope? It was
a close shave for you, but your last bullet went through the lion's
heart and killed the animal."

"Oh, I'm all right again now!" replied Jack, endeavouring to sit up, but
falling back with a groan. "That beast has knocked all the strength out
of me," he continued. "But tell me, who are you, and was the other man
killed?"

"His arm was broken," the Boer answered, "and he has to thank you for
his life. It was a brave act to come forward and fight the lion alone,
and your life was in God's hands. It was doubly noble of you,
Englishman, for by attacking that lion you fell into our hands and are a
prisoner. But do not let that worry you. You shall be well treated,
and in Pretoria you will be far safer than out here as a
despatch-rider."

"A prisoner!" exclaimed Jack indignantly. "Surely you will not take me
to Pretoria. After all I might have stood quietly in the hut, and let
the lion carry off you