Meriem, through it all, lay still and unconscious upon the ground.
At last one found a permanent hold upon the jugular of the other
and thus they went down for the last time. For several minutes
they lay with scarce a struggle. It was the larger bull who arose
alone from the last embrace. He shook himself. A deep growl
rumbled from his hairy throat. He waddled back and forth between
the body of the girl and that of his vanquished foe. Then he stood
upon the latter and gave tongue to his hideous challenge. The
little monkeys broke, screaming, in all directions as the terrifying
noise broke upon their ears. The gorgeous birds took wing and
fled. Once again the lion roared, this time at a greater distance.
The great ape waddled once more to the girl's side. He turned
her over upon her back, and stooping commenced to sniff and listen
about her face and breast. She lived. The monkeys were returning.
They came in swarms, and from above hurled down insults upon the
victor.
The ape showed his displeasure by baring his teeth and growling
up at them. Then he stooped and lifting the girl to his shoulder
waddled off through the jungle.
Pages:
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190