第26章

"You won't find lions and tigers in herds, like.elephants though," said the head hunter."And you may have to photograph 'em at night, as then is when they come out to hunt, and drink.""Well, I can take pictures at night," said Tom, as he showed his camera apparatus.

The next day, in the airship, they left for another district, where, so the natives reported, several lions had been seen of late.They had done much damage, too, carrying off the native cattle, and killing several Indians.

For nearly a week Tom circled about in his airship, keeping a sharp lookout down below for a sign of lions that he might photograph them.But he saw none, though he did get some pictures of a herd of Indian deer that were well worth his trouble.

"I think I'll have to try for a night photograph," decided Tom at last."I'll locate a spring where wild beasts are in the habit of coming, set the camera with the light going, and leave it there.""But will the lions come up if they see the light?" asked Ned.

"I think so," replied his chum."I'll take a chance, anyhow.If that doesn't work then I'll hide near by, and see what happens.""Bless my cartridge belt!" cried Mr.Damon."You don't mean that; do you Tom?""Of course.Come to think of it, I'm not going to leave my camera out there for a lion to jump on, and break.As soon as I get a series of pictures I'll bring it back to the ship, I think."By inquiry among the natives they learned the location of a spring where, it was said, lions were in the habit of coming nightly to drink.

"That's the place I want!" cried Tom.

Accordingly the airship was headed for it, and one evening it came gently to earth in a little clearing on the edge of the jungle, while Koku, as was his habit, got supper.

After the meal Tom and Ned set the camera, and then, picking out a good spot nearby, they hid themselves to wait for what might happen.The lens was focused on the spring, and the powerful electric light set going.It glowed brightly, and our hero thought it might have the effect of keeping the beasts away, but Tom figured that, after they had looked at it for a while, and seen that it did not harm them, they would lose their suspicions, and come within range of his machine.

"The camera will do the rest," he said.In order not to waste filmsuselessly Tom arranged a long electric wire, running it from the camera to where he and Ned were hid.By pressing a button he could start or stop the camera any time he wished, and, as he had a view of the spring from his vantage point, he could have the apparatus begin taking pictures as soon as there was some animal within focus.

"Well, I'm getting stiff," said Ned, after an hour or so had passed in silent darkness, the only light being the distant one on the camera.

"So am I," said Tom.

"I don't believe anything will come to-night," went on his chum."Let's go back and--"He stopped suddenly, for there was a crackling in the underbrush, and the next moment the jungle vibrated to the mighty roar of a lion.

"He's coming!" hoarsely whispered Tom.

Both lads glanced through the trees toward the camera, and, in the light, they saw a magnificent, tawny beast standing on the edge of the spring.Once more he roared, as if in defiance, and then, as if deciding that the light was not harmful, he stooped to lap up the waterHardly had he done so than there was another roar, and a moment later a second lion leaped from the dense jungle into the clearing about the spring.The two monarchs of the forest stood there in the glare of the light, and Tom excitedly pressed the button that started the shutter to working, and the film to moving back of the lens.

There was a slight clicking sound in the camera, and the lions turned startedly.Then both growled again, and the next instant they sprang at each other, roaring mightily.

"A fight!" cried Tom."A lion fight, and right in front of my camera! It couldn't be better.This is great! This will be a film.""Quiet!" begged Ned."They'll hear you, and come for us.I don't want to be chewed up!""No danger of them hearing me!" cried Tom.and he had to shout to be heard above the roaring of the two tawny beasts, as they bit and clawed each other, while the camera took picture after picture of them.