ADVENTURE WITH A LION. 67 



totally at a loss to account for them. He learned, after the afFah* 

 was over, that the reports were caused by his friend at th e 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, unfortu- 

 nately, 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 alow 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 the utmost need. Having made a circuit 

 they cautiously came up on the other side, and Lieutenant Dela- 

 main, whose coolness in encounters with wild beasts had always 

 been conspicuous, 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 Chase : 



" 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 homoleonine encounter. 

 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 animal of the cat tribe. 



