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I did not know that lions are not fond of water, nor did I know if Victory could

swim, but death, immediate and terrible, stared us in the face if we remained,

and so I took the chance.

At this point the current ran close to the shore, so that we were immediately in

deep water, and, to my intense satisfaction, Victory struck out with a strong,

overhand stroke and set all my fears on her account at rest.

But my relief was short-lived. That lioness, as I have said before, was a veritable

devil. She stood for a moment glaring at us, then like a shot she sprang into the

river and swam swiftly after us.

Victory was a length ahead of me.

Swim for the other shore!" I called to her.

I was much impeded by my rifle, having to swim with one hand while I clung to

my precious weapon with the other. The girl had seen the lioness take to the

water, and she had also seen that I was swimming much more slowly than she,

and what did she do? She started to drop back to my side.

"Go on!" I cried. "Make for the other shore, and then follow down until you find

my friends. Tell them that I sent you, and with orders that they are to protect

you. Go on! Go on!"

But she only waited until we were again swimming side by side, and I saw that

she had drawn her long knife, and was holding it between her teeth.

Do as I tell you!" I said to her sharply, but she shook her head.

The lioness was overhauling us rapidly. She was swimming silently, her chin just

touching the water, but blood was streaming from between her lips. It was

evident that her lungs were pierced.

She was almost upon me. I saw that in a moment she would take me under her

forepaws, or seize me in those great jaws. I felt that my time had come, but I

meant to die fighting. And so I turned, and, treading water, raised my rifle above

my head and awaited her.

Victory, animated by a bravery no less ferocious than that of the dumb beast

assailing us, swam straight for me. It all happened so swiftly that I cannot recall

the details of the kaleidoscopic action which ensued. I knew that I rose high out

of the water, and, with clubbed rifle, dealt the animal a terrific blow upon the

skull, that I saw Victory, her long blade flashing in her hand, close, striking, upon

The Lost Continent