"Look," exclaimed Canaris, pointing to the right. "Do you see those rocks! We must make a run for them."
The spot referred to was a dim mass rising out of the plain some fifty yards distant. Whether they really were rocks or not it was hard to tell.
Another fearful roar put an end to indecision, and they ran at the top of their speed toward the hoped-for refuge. No one glanced behind. In imagination they felt the hot breath on their necks and heard the soft patter through the grass.
Then the refuge was before them, a tall column of rock rising from a clump of jungle grass and some low, stunted timber.
It towered up in ledges and in a trice Canaris had sprung upon the first platform, and extended a helping hand to his companions.
With frantic haste they climbed another jutting ledge and pulled themselves to the top. None too soon, for as they turned to look, the big lion sprang into the air and landed with a roar of baffled rage on the ledge beneath.
He rose instantly for another spring, but as he reared upward Guy brought down the butt of his rifle on the massive head, and the beast rolled down into the grass at the foot of the rock.
Another lion loomed up in the shadows, and together the two paced about, lashing their tails and growling with fury.
"That was a narrow escape," said Guy. "A moment more and we would have been caught."
"We're not altogether safe yet," replied Canaris. "Those are hungry looking brutes, and it's hard to tell what they may do. We must remain quiet and watch them closely."