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explained； 〃and then I swam in close enough to get my knife into her
heart。〃
Ah； such a girl！ I could not but wonder what one of our own Pan…
American women would have done under like circumstances。 But then； of
course； they have not been trained by stern necessity to cope with the
emergencies and dangers of savage primeval life。
Along the bank we had just quitted； a score of lions paced to and fro；
growling menacingly。 We could not return； and we struck out for the
opposite shore。 I am a strong swimmer； and had no doubt as to my
ability to cross the river； but I was not so sure about Victory； so I swam
close behind her； to be ready to give her assistance should she need it。
She did not； however； reaching the opposite bank as fresh； apparently；
as when she entered the water。 Victory is a wonder。 Each day that we
were together brought new proofs of it。 Nor was it her courage or vitality
only which amazed me。 She had a head on those shapely shoulders of
hers； and dignity！ My； but she could be regal when she chose！
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She told me that the lions were fewer upon this side of the river； but
that there were many wolves； running in great packs later in the year。
Now they were north somewhere； and we should have little to fear from
them； though we might meet with a few。
My first concern was to take my weapons apart and dry them； which
was rather difficult in the face of the fact that every rag about me was
drenched。 But finally； thanks to the sun and much rubbing； I succeeded；
though I had no oil to lubricate them。
We ate some wild berries and roots that Victory found； and then we set
off again down the river； keeping an eye open for game on one side and
the launch on the other； for I thought that Delcarte； who would be the
natural leader during my absence； might run up the Thames in search of
me。
The balance of that day we sought in vain for game or for the launch；
and when night came we lay down； our stomachs empty； to sleep beneath
the stars。 We were entirely unprotected from attack from wild beasts；
and for this reason I remained awake most of the night； on guard。 But
nothing approached us； though I could hear the lions roaring across the
river； and once I thought I heard the howl of a beast north of usit might
have been a wolf。
Altogether； it was a most unpleasant night； and I determined then that
if we were forced to sleep out again that I should provide some sort of
shelter which would protect us from attack while we slept。
Toward morning I dozed； and the sun was well up when Victory
aroused me by gently shaking my shoulder。
〃Antelope！〃 she whispered in my ear； and； as I raised my head； she
pointed up…river。 Crawling to my knees； I looked in the direction she
indicated； to see a buck standing upon a little knoll some two hundred
yards from us。 There was good cover between the animal and me； and so；
though I might have hit him at two hundred yards； I preferred to crawl
closer to him and make sure of the meat we both so craved。
I had covered about fifty yards of the distance； and the beast was still
feeding peacefully； so I thought that I would make even surer of a hit by
going ahead another fifty yards； when the animal suddenly raised his head
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and looked away； up…river。 His whole attitude proclaimed that he was
startled by something beyond him that I could not see。
Realizing that he might break and run and that I should then probably
miss him entirely； I raised my rifle to my shoulder。 But even as I did so
the animal leaped into the air； and simultaneously there was a sound of a
shot from beyond the knoll。
For an instant I was dumbfounded。 Had the report come from down…
river； I should have instantly thought that one of my own men had fired。
But coming from up…river it puzzled me considerably。 Who could there
be with firearms in primitive England other than we of the Coldwater？
Victory was directly behind me； and I motioned for her to lie down； as
I did； behind the bush from which I had been upon the point of firing at
the antelope。 We could see that the buck was quite dead； and from our
hiding place we waited to discover the identity of his slayer when the
latter should approach and claim his kill。
We had not long to wait； and when I saw the head and shoulders of a
man appear above the crest of the knoll； I sprang to my feet； with a
heartfelt cry of joy； for it was Delcarte。
At the sound of my voice； Delcarte half raised his rifle in readiness for
the attack of an enemy； but a moment later he recognized me； and was
coming rapidly to meet us。 Behind him was Snider。 They both were
astounded to see me upon the north bank of the river； and much more so at
the sight of my companion。
Then I introduced them to Victory； and told them that she was queen of
England。 They thought； at first； that I was joking。 But when I had
recounted my adventures and they realized that I was in earnest； they
believed me。
They told me that they had followed me inshore when I had not
returned from the hunt； that they had met the men of the elephant country；
and had had a short and one…sided battle with the fellows。 And that
afterward they had returned to the launch with a prisoner； from whom they
had learned that I had probably been captured by the men of the lion
country。
With the prisoner as a guide they had set off up…river in search of me；
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but had been much delayed by motor trouble； and had finally camped after
dark a half mile above the spot where Victory and I had spent the night。
They must have passed us in the dark； and why I did not hear the sound of
the propeller I do not know； unless it passed me at a time when the lions
were making an unusuall