Paul King stood calm and imperturbable, waiting the arrival of his lost charge. There was a time when he, too, would have fled, but he had become used to lions and their ways, and felt perfect confidence in his power to subdue them.
As Nero came nearer, Gerald could see that his jaws were bloody. He guessed that the blood was that of his ill-fated horse.
"He has killed your horse, sure enough," said King. "Was he valuable?"
"I paid a hundred dollars for him."
"He wasn't insured against lions?"
"No."
"I am sorry for your loss."
"I shall not mind that if I save my own life."
"Your life is in no danger."
By this time the lion was almost upon them. He looked terrible, with the blood-stains about his jaws, but Paul King's equanimity was not shaken. One thing, however, he failed to consider, and that was the effect of blood upon the savage brute. Great as was his ascendency over Nero, the savage instinct of the great animal destroyed the effect of years of discipline.