We heard the wounded lioness roar not far away.
"She calls her man to help her," whispered Bes, and as the words left his lips the reeds down wind began to sway, for we were smelt.
They swayed, they parted and, half seen, half hid between their stems, appeared the head of a great, black-maned lion.

I drew the string and shot, this time not in vain, for I heard the arrow thud upon his hide.
Then before I could set another he was on us, reared upon his hind legs and roaring.

As I drew my dagger he struck at me, but I bent down and his paw went over my head.

Then his weight came against me and I fell beneath him, stabbing him in the belly as I fell.

I saw his mighty jaws open to crush my head.