Battle Battle Battle

"Kit, Kit!" cried Kathlyn's father when she came to her senses. "My
girl, my girl!"

They left the palace immediately.

The overthrow of Umballa seemed to be complete. Everywhere the
soldiers surrendered, for it was better to have food in the stomach
than lead.

When Kathlyn left the palace a thunder of cheers greeted her. Kathlyn
was forced to mount the durbar throne, much as she longed to be off.
But Bruce anticipated her thought and despatched one of the
revolutionists to the house of Ramabai. Kathlyn held out her hands
toward the excited populace, then turned to Ramabai expressively.
Ramabai, calm and unruffled as ever, stepped forward and was about to
address the people, when the disheveled captain of the guard, whom
Umballa had sent to the arena lions, pushed his way to the foot of the
platform.

"The arena lions have escaped!"

And there were a dozen lions in all, strong, cruel, and no doubt hungry!

Panic. Men who had been at one another's throat, bravely and hardily,
turned and fled. It was a foolish panic, senseless, but, like all
panics, uncontrollable. Those on the platform ran down the steps and
at once were swallowed up by the pressing trampling crowd.

Bruce and the colonel, believing that Kathlyn was behind them, fought
their way to a clearing, determined to secure nets and take the lions
alive. When they turned Kathlyn was gone. For a moment the two men
stood as if paralyzed. Then Bruce relieved the tension by smiling. He
laid his hand on the colonel's shoulder.