the lost continent(消失的大陆)-第21章
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both peered through the same small opening in the foliage。
I turned to give her a reassuring smile as the lion indicated that he had
not seen us； and as I did so she； too； turned her face toward mine； for the
same purpose； doubtless。 Anyway； as our heads turned simultaneously；
our lips brushed together。 A startled expression came into Victory's eyes
as she drew back in evident confusion。
As for me； the strangest sensation that I have ever experienced claimed
me for an instant。 A peculiar； tingling thrill ran through my veins； and
my head swam。 I could not account for it。
Naturally； being a naval officer and consequently in the best society of
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the federation； I have seen much of women。 With others； I have laughed at
the assertions of the savants that modern man is a cold and passionless
creation in comparison with the males of former agesin a word； that love；
as the one grand passion； had ceased to exist。
I do not know； now； but that they were more nearly right than we have
guessed； at least in so far as modern civilized woman is concerned。 I
have kissed many womenyoung and beautiful and middle aged and old；
and many that I had no business kissingbut never before had I
experienced that remarkable and altogether delightful thrill that followed
the accidental brushing of my lips against the lips of Victory。
The occurrence interested me； and I was tempted to experiment further。
But when I would have essayed it another new and entirely unaccountable
force restrained me。 For the first time in my life I felt embarrassment in
the presence of a woman。
What further might have developed I cannot say； for at that moment a
perfect she…devil of a lioness； with keener eyes than her lord and master；
discovered us。 She came trotting toward our place of concealment；
growling and baring her yellow fangs。
I waited for an instant； hoping that I might be mistaken； and that she
would turn off in some other direction。 But noshe increased her trot to
a gallop； and then I fired at her； but the bullet； though it struck her full in
the breast； didn't stop her。
Screaming with pain and rage； the creature fairly flew toward us。
Behind her came other lions。 Our case looked hopeless。 We were upon
the brink of the river。 There seemed no avenue of escape； and I knew
that even my modern automatic rifle was inadequate in the face of so
many of these fierce beasts。
To remain where we were would have been suicidal。 We were both
standing now； Victory keeping her place bravely at my side； when I
reached the only decision open to me。
Seizing the girl's hand； I turned； just as the lioness crashed into the
opposite side of the bushes； and； dragging Victory after me； leaped over
the edge of the bank into the river。
I did not know that lions are not fond of water； nor did I know if
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Victory could swim； but death； immediate and terrible； stared us in the
face if we remained； and so I took the chance。
At this point the current ran close to the shore； so that we were
immediately in deep water； and； to my intense satisfaction； Victory struck
out with a strong； overhand stroke and set all my fears on her account at
rest。
But my relief was short…lived。 That lioness； as I have said before；
was a veritable devil。 She stood for a moment glaring at us； then like a
shot she sprang into the river and swam swiftly after us。
Victory was a length ahead of me。
〃Swim for the other shore！〃 I called to her。
I was much impeded by my rifle； having to swim with one hand while
I clung to my precious weapon with the other。 The girl had seen the
lioness take to the water； and she had also seen that I was swimming much
more slowly than she； and what did she do？ She started to drop back to
my side。
〃Go on！〃 I cried。 〃Make for the other shore； and then follow down
until you find my friends。 Tell them that I sent you； and with orders that
they are to protect you。 Go on！ Go on！〃
But she only waited until we were again swimming side by side； and I
saw that she had drawn her long knife； and was holding it between her
teeth。
〃Do as I tell you！〃 I said to her sharply； but she shook her head。
The lioness was overhauling us rapidly。 She was swimming silently；
her chin just touching the water； but blood was streaming from between
her lips。 It was evident that her lungs were pierced。
She was almost upon me。 I saw that in a moment she would take me
under her forepaws； or seize me in those great jaws。 I felt that my time had
come； but I meant to die fighting。 And so I turned； and； treading water；
raised my rifle above my head and awaited her。
Victory； animated by a bravery no less ferocious than that of the dumb
beast assailing us； swam straight for me。 It all happened so swiftly that I
cannot recall the details of the kaleidoscopic action which ensued。 I
knew that I rose high out of the water； and； with clubbed rifle； dealt the
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animal a terrific blow upon the skull； that I saw Victory； her long blade
flashing in her hand； close； striking； upon the beast； that a great paw fell
upon her shoulder； and that I was swept beneath the surface of the water
like a straw before the prow of a freighter。
Still clinging to my rifle； I rose again； to see the lioness struggling in
her death throes but an arm's length from me。 Scarcely had I risen than the
beast turned upon her side； struggled frantically for an instant； and then
sank。
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6
Victory was nowhere in sight。 Alone； I floated upon the bosom of
the Thames。 In that brief instant I believe that I suffered more mental
anguish than I have crowded into all the balance of my life before or since。
A few hours before； I had been wishing that I might be rid of her； and now
that she was gone I would have given my life to have her back again。
Wearily I turned to swim about the spot where she had disappeared；
hoping that she might rise once at least； and I would be given the
opportunity to save her； and； as I turned； the water boiled before my face
and her head shot up before me。 I was on the point of striking out to
seize her； when a happy smile illumined her features。
〃You are not dead！〃 she cried。 〃I have been searching the bottom for
you。 I was sure that the blow she gave you must have disabled you；〃 and
she glanced about for the lioness。
〃She has gone？〃 she asked。
〃Dead；〃 I replied。
〃The blow you struck her with the thing you call rifle stunned her；〃 she
explained； 〃and then I swam in close enough to get
