Part 15 (1/2)
The two stole out cautiously, and beganbehind the ant hills and a tops of the latter betrayed their presence, but just as the boys were expecting to hear a shot, Mvita touched Burt on the arm One of his s
”What is it--elephant?” asked Burt Mvita grinned and shook his head, then murmured one word
”_Simba!_”
”Lion!” echoed Critch, who knew the native term ”Come on, Burt!”
Without hesitation the two boys turned away and followed the native guide The latter led then of lion showed up Burt becaan, when the native stopped, clicked his tongue, and pointed with his spear Ahead of the away fro for his rifle, ran forward eagerly Critch's bearer was a Bantu, who handed over the heavy gun but refused absolutely to advance The two boys ran forward in order to cut off the trotting lioness fro
They were barely fifty yards from the clump of bushes when they both stopped short at a shrill yell from Mvita, who had followed the appear at the edge of the bushes Then cae black- steadily at the hunters Burt pulled up his rifle and fired quickly The growl ended in a snarl, and the lion rolled over
”Hurray!” shouted Burt, ”I landed him--”
”Look out!” yelled Critch, and the explosion of his rifle almost deafened his chu the bushes, following the first! Two disappeared, but Critch's shot stopped the last one, not killing her He put another bullet into her shoulder and she lay still While he ran forward to make sure of his prize, Burt, followed by Mvita, turned toward the lion The great beast lay perfectly still Three of the Bantus had run up, and were standing within a few yards of hi and yet afraid to touch his about the remarkable tenacity of life often shown by lions, and stopped when fifty feet away
The lion was still breathing, but laythat if he paid no attention to the chattering natives he would re shot, Burt and Mvita ran onward, the chief displaying no fear whatever, unlike the Bantus
They approached fro that he was unable to rise, Burt stepped around for a good shot at the eye, which would not harm the pelt The instant he came into view of the wounded beast, however, the latter revived
With one terrific roar he sprang to his feet as if uninjured His green eyes blazed with fury, and his lips were drawn back until his long, yellow teeth were exposed in a snarl that struck Burt cold, for the boy was barely a dozen feet away Thebeside Burt The latter, taken by surprise, gave a step backward, lifting his rifle
Just as the beast was in the act of springing, Burt fired The heavy bullethead of the brute, but its terrific impact was sufficient to stop the animal for the instant Burt heard a yell from Critch, and was tempted to turn and run The lion was up iain Burt stepped back and pulled the trigger
This tirass The bullet ild, and the terrified boy gave himself up for lost A tremendous thud and crash at his side told hiht his eye as he rolled over and gained his feet
The flash of red came froiven way at the last er of his situation, he turned and ran just as Burt fell, with a shrill scream Beyond doubt this moveht the eye of the lion, who at once gave chase to the yelling chief
Burt, pale and excited, gained his feet just as the lion was catching up with Mvita Lifting his rifle, he fired To his dis up the dust beyond Mvita In a desperate effort to save the azine At the same instant Mvitabroadside on to Burt Just as Mvita was about to be brought down, the boy fired The lion dropped in the , his back broken A shot from Critch's rifle struck hih the lion's brain
Relieved and rather weak-kneed at the ier, Burt looked around for his chum He was astonished to see Critch, who had hastily returned, give a gasp, then burst into a roar of laughter Whirling about, Burt stared over the body of the lion and then went into a spasht that edy into instant comedy There was Mvita, a dozen yards fro up a thorn-tree in the shortest possible tihter went up from the boys and even fro the top of the spiny tree; on every lieous crimson robe, and by the time he reached the top he was fully as well clad as his humblest subject below
In vain did the boys yell at hiain, and not until he had reached the very top branch that would bear his weight did the terrified chieftain glance down Even the sight of his laughing subjects and the dead lion hardly reassured him, but once he was certain of his safety he took a speedy and certainas quickly as he had gone up, he brought a long thorn-branch with him, and applied this to his subjects and the Bantus indiscried to howls forboys did the angry chief cease
The Bantus speedily gathered, and played like children about the dead bodies of the two beasts, which had been placed side by side They proved the the part of the lion and jurowl at the others Another took Burt's part, snapping his fingers as he stepped backward and finally fell; while a third played Mvita, running to the thorn tree with the lion in hot pursuit At this instant an angry voice stopped the proceedings, and the boys looked around in alar toward the his rifle Before the boys could answer he caught sight of the two carcasses, and stopped short
”So you've been disobeying orders again!”
”Not quite that, uncle,” returned Burt quickly He then explained why they had left, together with all that had happened As Mr Wallace glanced at the almost naked chief, and then at the decorated thorn tree, his face relaxed and Burt knew there was no more to fear
”You spoiled a fine shot for uess you've had lesson enough Get the boys busy on the skins, John”
”How about the elephants?” spoke up Critch