it, Malchus; but I can tell you the attack of a wounded lion is no
joke, even for a party of twenty-five well armed men. Their force
and fury are prodigious, and they will throw themselves fearlessly
upon a clump of spears in order to reach their enemies. One blow
from their paws is certain death. Be careful, therefore, Malchus.
Stir not from my side, and remember that there is a vast difference
between rashness and bravery."



CHAPTER II: A NIGHT ATTACK


The time seemed to Malchus to pass slowly indeed as he sat waiting
the commencement of the hunt. Deep roars, sounding like distant
thunder, were heard from time to time among the hills. Once or twice
Malchus fancied that he could hear other sounds such as would be
made by a heavy stone dislodged from its site leaping down the
mountain side; but he was not sure that this was not fancy, or that
the sound might not be caused by the roaring of lions far away
among the hills.

His father had said that three hours would probably elapse before
the circuit would be completed. The distance was not great, but
the troops would have to make their way with the greatest care along
the rocky hills through brushwood and forest, and their advance
would be all the more slow that they had to take such pains to
move noiselessly.

It was indeed more than three hours after the column had left the