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I strove to tear myself loose from my bonds； but succeeded only in
tightening them about my arms。 Then I remained passive for a long time；
letting the scenes of my lifetime pass in review before my mind's eye。
I tried to imagine the astonishment； incredulity； and horror with which
my family and friends would be overwhelmed if； for an instant； space
could be annihilated and they could see me at the gates of London。
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The gates of London！ Where was the multitude hurrying to the marts
of trade after a night of pleasure or rest？ Where was the clang of tramcar
gongs； the screech of motor horns； the vast murmur of a dense throng？
Where were they？ And as I asked the question a lone； gaunt lion
strode from the tangled jungle upon the far side of the clearing。
Majestically and noiselessly upon his padded feet the king of beasts
moved slowly toward the gates of London and toward me。
Was I afraid？ I fear that I was almost afraid。 I know that I thought
that fear was coming to me； and so I straightened up and squared my
shoulders and looked the lion straight in the eyesand waited。
It is not a nice way to diealone； with one's hands fast bound； beneath
the fangs and talons of a beast of prey。 No； it is not a nice way to die； not
a pretty way。
The lion was halfway across the clearing when I heard a slight sound
behind me。 The great cat stopped in his tracks。 He lashed his tail
against his sides now； instead of simply twitching its tip； and his low moan
became a thunderous roar。
As I craned my neck to catch a glimpse of the thing that had aroused
the fury of the beast before me； it sprang through the arched gateway and
was at my sidewith parted lips and heaving bosom and disheveled haira
bronzed and lovely vision to eyes that had never harbored hope of rescue。
It was Victory； and in her arms she clutched my rifle and revolver。 A
long knife was in the doeskin belt that supported the doeskin skirt tightly
about her lithe limbs。 She dropped my weapons at my feet； and； snatching
the knife from its resting place； severed the bonds that held me。 I was
free； and the lion was preparing to charge。
〃Run！〃 I cried to the girl； as I bent and seized my rifle。 But she only
stood there at my side； her bared blade ready in her hand。
The lion was bounding toward us now in prodigious leaps。 I raised
the rifle and fired。 It was a lucky shot； for I had no time to aim carefully；
and when the beast crumpled and rolled； lifeless； to the ground； I went
upon my knees and gave thanks to the God of my ancestors。
And； still upon my knees； I turned； and taking the girl's hand in mine； I
kissed it。 She smiled at that； and laid her other hand upon my head。
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〃You have strange customs in your country；〃 she said。
I could not but smile at that when I thought how strange it would seem
to my countrymen could they but see me kneeling there on the site of
London； kissing the hand of England's queen。
〃And now；〃 I said； as I rose； 〃you must return to the safety of your
camp。 I will go with you until you are near enough to continue alone in
safety。 Then I shall try to return to my comrades。〃
〃I will not return to the camp；〃 she replied。
〃But what shall you do？〃 I asked。
〃I do not know。 Only I shall never go back while Buckingham lives。
I should rather die than go back to him。 Mary came to me； after they had
taken you from the camp； and told me。 I found your strange weapons and
followed with them。 It took me a little longer； for often I had to hide in
the trees that the lions might not get me； but I came in time； and now you
are free to go back to your friends。〃
〃And leave you here？〃 I exclaimed。
She nodded； but I could see through all her brave front that she was
frightened at the thought。 I could not leave her； of course； but what in the
world I was to do； cumbered with the care of a young woman； and a queen
at that； I was at a loss to know。 I pointed out that phase of it to her； but
she only shrugged her shapely shoulders and pointed to her knife。
It was evident that she felt entirely competent to protect herself。
As we stood there we heard the sound of voices。 They were coming
from the forest through which we had passed when we had come from
camp。
〃They are searching for me；〃 said the girl。 〃Where shall we hide？〃
I didn't relish hiding。 But when I thought of the innumerable dangers
which surrounded us and the comparatively small amount of ammunition
that I had with me； I hesitated to provoke a battle with Buckingham and
his warriors when； by flight； I could avoid them and preserve my
cartridges against emergencies which could not be escaped。
〃Would they follow us there？〃 I asked； pointing through the archway
into the Camp of the Lions。
〃Never；〃 she replied； 〃for； in the first place； they would know that we
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would not dare go there； and in the second they themselves would not
dare。〃
〃Then we shall take refuge in the Camp of the Lions；〃 I said。
She shuddered and drew closer to me。
〃You dare？〃 she asked。
〃Why not？〃 I returned。 〃We shall be safe from Buckingham； and you
have seen； for the second time in two days； that lions are harmless before
my weapons。 Then； too； I can find my friends easiest in this direction；
for the River Thames runs through this place you call the Camp of the
Lions； and it is farther down the Thames that my friends are awaiting me。
Do you not dare come with me？〃
〃I dare follow wherever you lead；〃 she answered simply。
And so I turned and passed beneath the great arch into the city of
London。
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5
As we entered deeper into what had once been the city； the evidences
of man's past occupancy became more f