siderable distance, when, looking back, they noticed a cloud of dust a long way off, which rapidly drew nearer; presently they were able to descry two armed men on dromedaries, who were gaining on them fast. It was evident that their master was coming in pursuit of them with his servant; in terror they looked around, to see if there was no place at hand where they could conceal themselves. Somewhat farther they caught sight of a cleft in a rock, which appeared to be the entrance to a cavern. Thither they fled with the utmost speed. As the passage beneath the rock seemed very long, they were afraid to venture far, and therefore crouched in a corner near the entrance. A few minutes later their pursuers reached the cavern, and, halting before it, with loud shouts and terrible threats called on the fugitives to come out. As no answer came, the master sent his servant into the cavern, to drive out the two men at the sword’s point. The servant penetrated a long way into the cavern, making a great noise as he went. Suddenly a lioness sprang upon him out of the background, killed him, and dragged him away to her den. The Arab waiting outside grew impatient at the non-appearance of his servant, and, dismounting from his dromedary, entered the cavern himself, uttering oaths and curses. The lioness sprang upon him also, killing him with a single blow of her paw. The two fugitives hidden in the cleft trembled with fear, thinking they would be the next victims. But matters took an unexpected turn. The lioness apparently thought her den was not a sufficiently safe spot for her young, for she carried one cub
