“Chamis, bring the dog here.”
The Sudanese at once disappeared behind the kitchen-tent and soon stepped forth leading an enormous animal in leash.
Nell drew back.
“Oh,” she cried out, seizing her father’s hand.
But Stasch, on the contrary, went into ecstasies.
“That is a lion, not a dog.”
“His name is Saba (lion),” answered Mr. Tarkowski. “He belongs to the breed of mastiffs, the largest dogs in the world. This one is only two years old, but is already enormous. Don’t be afraid, Nell. He is as gentle as a lamb. Chamis, let him loose!”
Chamis let go the leash and the dog, feeling himself free, began to wag his tail, to rub himself up against Mr. Tarkowski, with whom he had already made friends, and to bark for joy.
By the light of the moon the children admired his large round head with its hanging lips, his strong paws, his great size, which with the golden yellow of his whole body gave him the appearance of a lion. In all their lives they had never seen anything like him.
“With such a dog one could safely wander through Africa,” cried Stasch.