[The Ancient Allan by H. Rider Haggard]@TWC D-Link book
The Ancient Allan

CHAPTER V
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So when we came to the dead lion and, as I had expected, met there the lioness you had wounded, she charged through the hunters at him who smelt of her husband, and bit his head off." "But, Bes, you smelt of him also, and worse." "Yes, Master, but that painted cousin of the King came first.

I kept well behind him, pretending to be afraid," and he chuckled quietly, adding, "I expect that he is now telling an angry tale about me to Osiris, or to the Grasshopper that takes him there, as it may happen." "These Easterns worship neither Osiris, nor your Grasshopper, Bes, but a flame of fire." "Then he is telling the tale to the fire, and I hope that it will get tired and burn him." So we talked merrily enough because we had done great deeds and thought that we had outwitted the Easterns and the King, not knowing all their craft.

For none had told us that that man who hunted with the King and yet dared to draw arrow upon the quarry before the King should be put to death as one who had done insult to his Majesty.

This that royal fox remembered and therefore was sure that he would win the wager.
Now the chariots turned and passing down a path came to an open space that was cleared of reeds.

Here they halted, that of the King and my own side by side with ten paces between them, and those of the court behind.
Meanwhile huntsmen with dogs entered the great brake far away to the right and left of us, also in front, so that the lions might be driven backwards and forwards across the open space.
Soon we heard the hounds baying on all sides.


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