Back across the sand rushed the animal, and then with all its might crashed against the barrier.
A look of horror swept the woman's face—the middle bar had bent. She sensed her danger, but kept her nerve. Without hesitating, she turned to the brazier at her side, carefully selected a handle well wrapped about, and, turning again swiftly, thrust the red-hot point down the lion's maw.
'Twere best not to describe the rest of the awful scene in which a woman safe behind bars clapped her hands over the pain she had caused.
But is it surprising that Zulannah's enemies were legion?
CHAPTER X
"The wind that sighs before the dawn
Chases the gloom of night;
The curtains of the East are drawn
And suddenly—'tis light."
SIR LEWIS MORRIS.
The desert stretched before Damaris.
As a lover, clad in golden raiment, in quick pursuit of his love with dusky hair and starry eyes across a field of purple iris, Day flinging wide his arms leaped clear of the horizon which lies like a string across the sandy wastes. Gathering her draperies, hiding her starry jewels in misty scarves, Night fled in seeming fear, leaving behind her a trail of sweet-scented, silver-embroidered purple, grey and saffron garments, which melted in the warmth of love.
But leap he from the horizon ever so quickly, don he his most brilliant armour and pursue he ever so hastily, yet, save for two short hours when he may barely touch her hem, Night stands ever mockingly, beckoning, just out of reach.