6 Defence against Feline and Canine Animals, 



prostrate and defenceless man. Just as this world, with all 

 its flitting honours, was on the point of vanishing for ever, he 

 heard two faint reports of a gun, which he thought sounded 

 from a distance ; but he was totally at a loss to account for 

 them. He learned, after the affair was over, that the reports 

 were caused by his friend at the outside of the jungle, who 

 had flashed off some powder, in order to be quite sure that 

 the nipples of his rifle were clean. 



The two lieutenants were now hastening to his assistance, 

 and he heard the welcome sound of feet approaching; but, 

 unfortunately, they were in a wrong direction ; as the lion was 

 betwixt them and him. Aware that, if his friends fired, the 

 balls would hit him, after they had passed through the lion's 

 body. Captain Woodhouse quietly pronounced, in a low and 

 subdued tone, " to the other side ! to the other side ! " 

 Hearing the voice, they looked in the direction from whence 

 it proceeded, and to their horror saw their brave comrade in 

 his utmost need. Having made a circuit, they cautiously 

 came up on the other side, and Lieutenant Delamain, whose 

 coolness in encounters with wild beasts had always been con- 

 spicuous, from a distance of about a dozen yards, fired at the 

 lion over the person of the prostrate warrior. 



The lion merely quivered ; his head dropped upon the 

 ground, and in an instant he lay dead on his side, close to his 

 intended victim. The lieutenant's aim was so good and true, 

 that it puts one in mind of what happened at Chevy Chace ; 



** Against Sir Hugh Montgomery 

 So right the shaft was set, 

 The grey goose wing that was thereon 

 In his heart's blood was wet ! " 



Thus ended this ever-memorable homo-leonine encounter. 

 I beg to return my thanks to Captain Woodhouse for allow- 

 ing me to avail myself of it. From what has been related, a 

 proof may be drawn of the utility of lying quite still, when 

 we have the misfortune to be struck to the ground by an ani- 

 mal of the cat tribe. 



I bade a long farewell to Captain Woodhouse, and his two 

 friends, Messrs. Kavanagh and Pontardent, at Frankfort on 

 the Mayne. They were on their way to India, through Vienna 

 and Constantinople. May honours, health, and wealth attend 

 them ! 



Charles Waterton. 

 Bruges^ Sept. 25, 1833. 



