In that moment Numa might charge, and then there
would be scarce time to regain the safety of the trees, yet it
might be done. Meriem had escaped from closer quarters than that
many times before.
The doubt that gave her momentary pause was caused by fear of the
unseen hunters more than by fear of Numa. If they were stranger
blacks the spears that they held in readiness for Numa might as
readily be loosed upon whomever dared release their bait as upon
the prey they sought thus to trap. Again the kid struggled to be
free. Again his piteous wail touched the tender heart strings of
the girl. Tossing discretion aside, she commenced to circle the
clearing. Only from Numa did she attempt to conceal her presence.
At last she reached the opposite trees. An instant she paused to
look toward the great lion, and at the same moment she saw the huge
beast rise slowly to his full height. A low roar betokened that
he was ready.
Meriem loosened her knife and leaped to the ground. A quick
run brought her to the side of the kid. Numa saw her. He lashed
his tail against his tawny sides.
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