90 THE LION. 



river, under concealment of the rushes ; hut the lioi* 

 came steadily forward, and stood still to look at us. 

 At this moment we felt our situation not free from 

 danger, as the animal seemed preparing to spring 

 upon us, and we were standing on the bank, at the 

 distance of only a few yards from him, most of us 

 heing on foot, and unarmed, without any visible pos- 

 sibility of escaping. I had given up my horse to 

 the hunters, and was on foot myself; but there was 

 no time for fear, and it was useless to attempt avoid- 

 ing him- Poor Tray was in great alarm : she 

 clasped her infant to her bosom, and screamed out, 

 as if she thought her destruction inevitable, calling 

 anxiously to those who were nearest the animal, 

 Take care ! Take care ! In great fear for my safety, 

 she half insisted upon my moving farther off. I, 

 however, stood well upon my guard, holding my 

 pistols in my hand, with my finger upon the trigger; 

 and those who had muskets kept themselves pre- 

 pared in the same manner. But at this instant the 

 dogs boldly flew in between us and the lion, and 

 surrounding him, kept him at bay by their violent 

 and resolute barking. The courage of those faith- 

 ful animals was most admirable : they advanced up 

 to the side of the huge beast, and stood making the 

 greatest clamour in his face, without the least ap- 

 pearance of fear. The lion, conscious of his strength, 

 remained unmoved at their noisy attempts, and kept 

 his head turned towards us. At one moment, the 

 dogs perceiving his eve thus engaged, had advanced 



