whirled about and raced through a narrow break in the
circle of fire, heading for the darkness beyond. Even as she acted, she
knew this might be merely exchanging one peril for another: there could
easily be ten lions between her and the safety of the trees.

With an earth-shaking roar, Sadu gave chase.

Her heart pounding wildly, Dylara shot across the open ground like an
arrow from a bow. Behind her, gaining ground as though his frail quarry
were standing still, came the lion, its jaws widely distended, low
growls welling from its throat.

The low-spreading branches of a forest tree loomed ahead of the fleeing
girl. Sadu was only a few feet behind her ... already he was launching
the last leap that would crush the girl to earth just short of her goal.

* * * * *

In the camp itself, Jotan's bellowed commands were beginning to take
effect on the disorganized warriors. Those still alive and unwounded
managed to form a spear-bristling phalanx, standing shoulder to
shoulder, while the blood-hungry cats moved slowly around them. Twice, a
lion charged that square of flint spear-tips, only to fall back with
roars of rage and bleeding from wounds. For a few minutes longer the
beasts continued to circle warily about the men, now and then feinting
charges in an effort to draw them into breaking ranks.

But the warriors, heartened by the confident bearing of their leader,
held fast in spite of the fearful nearness of distended jaws and
gleaming fangs.

At last, as though by some strange understanding, the lions began to
withdraw, dragging with them some of the torn bodies of warriors who had
died during the battle. Only the sharp commands of Jotan himself
prevented the others from an attempt to save their fallen comrades from
so horrible a fate--Jotan who was realist enough to know that any such
foolhardy action--no matter how noble the purpose--could only result in
further casualties.

When at last the lions were gone, Jotan set about restoring the broken
defenses of the camp. Fires were increased in number and size, scattered
supplies and weapons were reassembled and the wounded cared for.

Not until all this was done did Jotan learn of Dylara's disappearance.
At first he was nearly frantic with worry, picturing her as being
dragged away by one of the marauders. It was not until he questioned the
wounded that the true story came out.

"No, Sadu did not get her. Not in the camp anyway.