I think that up to that moment I had not had time to be afraid, but now the goose-flesh broke out all over me, and the sensation up and down my spine was of melting helplessness.
On the left-hand hillock a lioness stood looking down with much intenser and more curious interest.

She looked from me to her mate, and from her mate to me again with indecision that was no more reassuring than her low questioning growl.
I do not know why they did not spring on me.

Surely no two lions ever contemplated easier quarry.

No victim in the arena ever watched the weapons of death more helplessly.

I suppose my hour had not come.
Perhaps the lions, well used to white men who attacked on sight with long-range weapons, doubted the wisdom of experiments on something new.
The lioness growled again.