Unarmed men have saved
their lives by boldly attacking lions, but that is no argument in favor
of an unarmed man going out of his way to search for the king of
beasts. And the measure of Alfieri's hate was supplied by his daring
attempt to capture her. She shuddered to think of the result had he
been successful, yet she nerved herself now to out-maneuver him. Of
course, there were some slight elements in her favor. The blunder which
had placed her enemy at loggerheads with the authorities gave her a
momentary advantage. The man's lust for vengeance might, indeed, sweep
aside her attack, but she must risk that. Had fate been kinder, Mrs.
Haxton was cast in the mold that produces notable women. She knew when
to unite boldness with calculation; she would always elect to die
fighting rather than cower without a blow; and she would never believe
a cause lost while there was a man to be wheedled.
The Somali crew ferried her swiftly towards the landing-stage, and she
bade Abdullah render a full account of the rescue.
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