THE LION. 103 



corked and levelled, durst we fire for their assistance. 

 One was lying under the lion's feet, and the others 

 scrambling towards us, in such a way as to intercept 

 our aim upon him. All this passed far more rapidly 

 than I have described it ; hut, luckily, the lion, after 

 steadily surveying us for a few seconds, seemed will- 

 ing to he quit on fair terms ; and, with a fortunate 

 forbearance, turned calmly away, and, driving the 

 snarling dogs like rats from among his heels, bound- 

 ed over the adjoining thicket, like a cat over a foot- 

 stool, clearing brakes and bushes, twelve or fifteen 

 feet high, as readily as if they had been tufts of grass, 

 and, abandoning the jungle, retreated towards the 

 mountains. 



" After ascertaining the state of our rescued com- 

 rade, who fortunately had sustained no other injury 

 than a slight scratch on the back, and a severe bruise 

 on the ribs, from the force with which the animal 

 had dashed him to the ground, we renewed the chase, 

 with Hottentots and hounds, in full cry. In a 

 short time we again came up with the enemy, and 

 found him standing at bay under an old mimosa- tree, 

 by the side of a mountain-stream, which we had dis- 

 tinguished by the name of Douglas Water. The 

 dogs were barking round, but afraid to approach him, 

 for lie was now beginning to growl fiercely, and to 

 brandish his tail in a manner that shewed he was me- 

 ditating mischief. The Hottentots, by taking a cir- 

 cuit between him and the mountain, crossed the 

 stream, and took a position on the top of a preci- 



