Werper could have screamed in fright, but up the trail was coming
the messenger of another death, equally sure and no less terrible.
He remained silent, almost paralyzed by fear. The Arab approached.
Across the trail from Werper the lion crouched for the spring, when
suddenly his attention was attracted toward the horseman.

The Belgian saw the massive head turn in the direction of the raider
and his heart all but ceased its beating as he awaited the result
of this interruption. At a walk the horseman approached. Would
the nervous animal he rode take fright at the odor of the carnivore,
and, bolting, leave Werper still to the mercies of the king of
beasts?

But he seemed unmindful of the near presence of the great cat. On
he came, his neck arched, champing at the bit between his teeth.
The Belgian turned his eyes again toward the lion. The beast's
whole attention now seemed riveted upon the horseman. They were
abreast the lion now, and still the brute did not spring. Could
he be but waiting for them to pass before returning his attention
to the original prey? Werper shuddered and half rose. At the same
instant the lion sprang from his place of concealment, full upon
the mounted man. The horse, with a shrill neigh of terror, shrank
sideways almost upon the Belgian, the lion dragged the helpless
Arab from his saddle, and the horse leaped back into the trail and
fled away toward the west.

But he did not flee alone. As the frightened beast had pressed
in upon him, Werper had not been slow to note the quickly emptied
saddle and the opportunity it presented. Scarcely had the lion
dragged the Arab down from one side, than the Belgian, seizing the