“But perhaps I shall kill it,” I said.
“It is doubtful, Joe,” he replied, “and the noise of your piece would bring out our people, perhaps into danger. Let us wait. Here,” he said, “I have it! This beast has been cautiously following us round, always keeping out of our sight. I think now that the best way will be for you to continue the retreat round the fire while I stop here on one knee. The beast will then follow you, and I shall get a good certain shot at him.”
I did not like the idea at all, for it seemed like setting a trap and making me the bait; but I said nothing beyond intimating that I would do as he wished, and he went on:
“I shall be certain to hit the brute, but I may not kill, so be ready to fire in turn; you will get a good chance for a sure hit, the animal will be less cautious.”
“Stop a moment,” I said. “I thought at first that it would be very dangerous for me; now I see that it will be more dangerous for you. Let’s keep together.”
“Do as I bid you,” he replied sternly. “Now go on round, as if trying to keep the fire between you and danger. Fire quickly if you have a good chance, and don’t miss. But first of all let’s try the effect of a firebrand or two in the direction you think you saw the brute.”
He picked up a piece of blazing wood and gave it a whirl round his head.
The result was to bring a fierce roar from the wood close behind us, and we involuntarily sprang to the other side of our fire.
“There’s no knowing where to have the beast,” muttered the doctor, as he realised the cunning sneaking habits of our enemy.
As he spoke he stooped and picked up another blazing piece of wood, for he had dropped the first to bring his gun to bear. Now, holding the gun in his left hand, he gave the blazing wood a whirl round his head and threw it in the direction from which the fierce roar had come.