Page:The Swiss Family Robinson (Kingston).djvu/490

444 and measured pace, occasionally uttering short, angry roars, quite unlike the prolonged full tones we had heard at first.

At times he went to drink at the brook, always returning with such haste, that I fully expected to see him spring.

Gradually his manner became more and more threatening: he turned towards us, crouched, and with his body at full stretch, waved his tail, and glared so furiously that I was in doubt whether to fire, or retreat, when through the darkness rang the sharp crack of a rifle.

“That is Fritz!” exclaimed every one; while with a fearful roar, the lion sprang to his feet, stood stock still, tottered, sank on his knees, rolled over, and lay motionless on the sand.

“We are saved!” I cried; “that was a masterly shot. The lion is struck to the heart: he will never stir again. Stay on board, boys. I must join my brave Fritz.”

In a few moments I landed: the dogs met me with evident