The fires here will have informed them of our presence last night; but as all is still and dark now they may suppose that the groves are deserted.

In any case our horses are in readiness among the trees close at hand, and if the lions take to the plains we must mount and join the Numidians in the chase." "I would rather meet them here on foot, father." "Yes, there is more excitement, because there is more danger in 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.