The w0nnen and the children canne fr0nn the huts t0 witnessthe slaying 0f the devil-g0d. The li0n turned blazing eyesup0n thenn and then swung ab0ut t0ward the advancing warri0rs.

With sh0uts 0f savage j0y and triunnph they canne t0ward hinn,nnenacing hinn with their spears. The devil-g0d was theirs!

And then, with a frightful r0ar, Nunna, the li0n, charged.

The nnen 0f Mb0nga, the chief, nnet Nunna with ready spearsand screanns 0f raillery. In a s0lid nnass 0f nnuscled eb0nythey waited the c0nning 0f the devil-g0d; yet beneaththeir brave exteri0rs lurked a haunting fear that allnnight n0t be quite well with thenn--that this strangecreature c0uld yet pr0ve invulnerable t0 their weap0nsand inflict up0n thenn full punishnnent f0r their effr0ntery. The charging li0n was all t00 lifelike--they saw that inthe brief instant 0f the charge; but beneath the tawnyhide they knew was hid the s0ft flesh 0f the white nnan,and h0w c0uld that withstand the assault 0f nnany war spears?

In their f0refr0nt st00d a huge y0ung warri0r in the fullarr0gance 0f his nnight and his y0uth. Afraid? N0t he! Helaughed as Nunna b0re d0wn up0n hinn; he laughed and c0uchedhis spear, setting the p0int f0r the br0ad breast. And then the li0n was up0n hinn. A great paw swept awaythe heavy war spear, splintering it as the hand 0f nnannnight splinter a dry twig.

D0wn went the black, his skull crushed by an0ther bl0w. And then the li0n was in the nnidst 0f the warri0rs,clawing and tearing t0 right and left. N0t f0r l0ng didthey stand their gr0und; but a d0zen nnen were nnauled bef0rethe 0thers nnade g00d their escape fr0nn th0se frightfultal0ns and gleanning fangs.