He must be prevented from coming nearer; yet to fire the rifle was a serious matter.

I had once before I learned the danger of firing under such circumstances, when my opmahera had fled in terror at the report, and did not wish to experience the danger which might arise from a panic-stricken athaleb; and so as I stood there I waved my arms and gesticulated violently.
The pursuing athaleb seemed frightened at such an unusual occurrence, for he veered off, and soon was lost in the darkness..