At this moment Malchus galloped past at full speed, his bow drawn to the arrow head and fixed.

The arrow struck the lion just behind its shoulder.

The fierce beast, which was in the act of rising, sank down quietly again; its majestic head drooped between its forepaws on to the body of the Nubian, and there it lay as if overtaken with a sudden sleep.

Two more arrows were fired into it, but there was no movement.
"The brave beast is dead," Malchus said.

"Here is the arrow with which I slew it." "It was well done, Malchus, and the hide is yours.