kward, rolled over twice, slowly stretching itself out with extended
paws tearing at the earth, and then lay still.

"Dean!" cried Mark, dropping on one knee. "Oh, don't say you are hurt!"

The boy slowly rose to his knees, staring confusedly at his cousin,
while the doctor dashed forward in company with Sir James to examine the
boy's injuries.

"Dean, my boy," cried Sir James, "pray, pray speak!" And he caught at
the boy's arms.

Dean heard him and turned to look at him in a curious, half dazed way,
but in spite of appeal after appeal he made no reply, but began to draw
his handkerchief from his breast and to wipe his face, which was covered
with blood and foam from the lion's lips. Then giving a strange, half
hysterical cry, he exclaimed, "Oh, uncle, it was horrid--horrid!"

"But where were you hurt?" cried Mark excitedly, adding half angrily,
"Why don't you speak?"

The boy looked at him wonderingly, as if too much confused to reply;
then uttering a long-drawn sigh he said quietly, "Hurt? No, I don't
think so. I say, Mark, do go and fetch my boots."

"Oh, Dean, my boy," cried Sir James, half angrily, "you made us think
you were half killed!"

"Did I, uncle?" said the boy quietly. "I couldn't help it."

"Help it, no," cried Sir James. "And you, Mark, how dared you do such a
rash thing?"

"I don't know, father. I was horribly frightened all the time, but I
felt I must; and," he added quickly, "I say, I killed the lion--didn't
I, doctor?"

"Yes, and we must have that skin. Ah, take care, Mak!"

For the black was advancing towards the dangerous enemy, and he looked
back at the doctor, laughed, showing his glistening teeth, and then
seizing the broken haft of his spear, he planted one bare foot upon the
creature's shoulder, gave a tug or two, and drew it away, to stand
looking dolefully at the two pieces of the weapon, which he held
together as if to see whether it was possible to mend them again.

"Now, doctor," said Sir James, as the two boys stood together,
whispering, "we must run no more of these horrible risks. It is quite
likely that another of the furious beasts may be lying not far away.
What do you say, Denham?"

"Yes, sir; there's another one of them, I expect--dead or alive--not far
off, and perhaps we had better wait till daylight. Suppose we go right
up to the fire, for nothing will follow us there."

"The fire!" said the doctor sharply. "How was it we were surprised like
this?