t the whistle
had had a double effect: the lion had stopped short, sprung erect, and
stood at gaze with bristling mane, staring after him, its head looking
double its former size.

But Dyke did not pause; he ran on, dragging his leaden feet, till he saw
that the cob was once more moving away, and the lion crawling rapidly
along in his track.

Another shrill, trilling whistle with the former effect, and the animals
in front and rear stopped again, giving the boy a few yards' gain.

But the reprieve was very short. The lion soon recovered from its
surprise at the unwonted sound, one which might mean danger, and resumed
its stalk, while the cob again went on.

How long that terrible time lasted Dyke could not tell, but the
whistling was resumed over and over again, always with the same effect,
and with the hope growing that perhaps at last he might reach the horse,
Dyke toiled on.

Despair came, though, in company with the hope; for at any moment the
boy felt that the cob might wildly rush off as soon as it realised how
near the lion was behind its master--fear getting the better of the long
training which had taught it to obey its master's call. But still Dyke
was getting nearer and nearer, and the whistle did not seem to lose its
effect, always checking horse and lion as well, till to Dyke's great joy
the cob uttered a loud whinnying sound, answered by a deep muttering
growl from the lion.

"I can go no farther," panted Dyke at last, and his run degenerated into
a weary stumble, as he raised the whistle once more to his lips, blew
with all his feeble might, and then began to walk.

Hope once more, for the whinnying sounded loudly now; and in spite of
the presence of the lion a couple of hundred yards behind its master,
Breezy suddenly came toward where Dyke stood, advancing in a stumbling
canter. Dyke tried to call to it, but no words would come; and he
glanced back to see the lion gliding over the ground nearer and nearer.

How long would it be before it was near enough to make its bound?

Long before he could get down by the cob's forelegs to loosen the
hobbles from its fetlocks, and mount.

Dyke felt that as he staggered to meet the cob, and the beautiful little
animal stumbled toward him, whinnying joyfully, seeing for the time
nothing but its master, to whom it looked for protection.

"I shall never do it! I shall never do it!" he panted, and he glanced
back to see the lion stealing on, with its eye