Then she ran a stick through the carcass and held it above the
flames. By turning it often she prevented burning and at the same
time permitted the meat to cook thoroughly all the way through.
When it was done she scampered high into the safety of her tree to
enjoy her meal in quiet and peace. Never, thought Lady Greystoke,
had aught more delicious passed her lips. She patted her spear
affectionately. It had brought her this toothsome dainty and with
it a feeling of greater confidence and safety than she had enjoyed
since that frightful day that she and Obergatz had spent their
last cartridge. She would never forget that day--it had seemed one
hideous succession of frightful beast after frightful beast. They
had not been long in this strange country, yet they thought that
they were hardened to dangers, for daily they had had encounters
with ferocious creatures; but this day--she shuddered when she
thought of it. And with her last cartridge she had killed a black
and yellow striped lion-thing with great saber teeth just as it was
about to spring upon Obergatz who had futilely emptied his rifle
into it--the last shot--his final cartridge. For another day they
had carried the now useless rifles; but at last they had discarded
them and thrown away the cumbersome bandoleers, as well. How they
had managed to survive during the ensuing week she could never quite
understand, and then the Ho-don had come upon them and captured her.
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