I looked daggers at them, gnashing my teeth and shaking my fist.

They saw the lion, and Taher Noor snatching a rifle from Hadji Ali was just about to bring it; when Hassan, ashamed, ran forward.

The lion disappeared at the same moment.

Never was such a fine chance lost through the indecision of the gun bearers! I made a vow never to carry a single-barrelled rifle again when hunting large game.

If I had had my dear little Fletcher 24 1 should have nailed the lion to a certainty.
However, there was not much time for reflection.