The boys ran forward. The lion was not in sight now, but the grinning chief of the hunters pointed to a clump of thorn bushes which moved now and then. And there was no wind to stir them. “Simba!” exclaimed the chief. “The lion is there,” explained the sergeant. “Put your cameras on that little mound, and you’ll have a good view of the whole thing.” Blake and Joe planted their machines, taking different positions, so that if the view of one was obscured the other would have a good chance to get a film. “Ready!” called the sergeant, and the hunters began closing in. Slowly the circle narrowed. Stealthily the blacks advanced. Joe and Blake took picture after picture. It was a tense moment. With a terrific roar the lion leaped from his cover and stood in the open, lashing his sides with his tail. The very ground seemed to vibrate with his rumblings. “I hope he doesn’t break through that line and come for us,” spoke Blake. “Same here,” echoed Joe, grinding away at his machine. Nearer and nearer came the warriors. The lion wheeled about seeking an opening. There was none in that circle of bristling spears. But, seeing a place that the beast evidently thought was weak, he made for it. The chief called out something, and the men braced with their spears, ready for the shock. “There he goes!” cried Joe. “I can’t get a good view! The men are in my way!” “I’ll film it!” shouted Blake. With a roar the lion leaped into the air, and at one of the men, who rose from a crouching position to receive it. While the beast was yet in midair the black man threw his spear. Like a shaft of light it struck the lion, and passed completely through him, the head appearing on the other side. In spite of this wound the lion did not falter. On he launched himself, straight at the man, who caught him on his shield. But the lion, reaching over the top, clawed and bit the native on his shoulder. The brave Masai never faltered, however, and began jabbing the lion with another spear passed to him by a fellow hunter. With shouts the other warriors closed in on either flank of the beast that was bearing down their comrade. Scores of spears flashed in the light. No living creature was proof against them. “He’s done for!” cried Blake, who was busy with the machine. “And so is the man, I guess,” said Joe. The warrior had been borne to earth, but his shield partly protected him. The lion was now hidden by the blacks surrounding him, and stabbing him with their spears. There came a last rumbling roar, and the fight was over. With shouts the men dragged the big body, twitching in death, from their comrade. The lion fight was over. “And, oh! what a film I’ve got!” cried Blake. “I got most of it, too,” said Joe. There was much loud talking and ringing laughter among the hunters, while some applied rude but effective treatment to the wounded man. He was not as badly hurt as at first supposed, the ox-hide shield having protected him.