458 HUNTING ADVENTURES. 



powder uniting in the report of a cannon, hailed Gerard as the 

 Lion-Slayer. 



Such was his first exploit in a career in which he has since gained 

 such distinguished renown. The fame of his prowess quickly spread 

 abroad, and innumerable applications were made to him for succor 

 from districts ravaged by lions. The natives themselves are gene- 

 rally too much terrified to adopt efficient means of defending 

 themselves from the depredations of these monsters, and with all 

 the extravagance of enthusiasm, hailed our hero as a saviour. They 

 wore astonished at the courage and self-possession which dared en- 

 counter these formidable beasts single-handed. Their own opera- 

 tions, whenever the extremity of their peril rouses them to resistance, 

 invariably take the shape of a combined movement on a very 

 extensive scale. 



In the southern district of the circle of Constantino, for example, 

 the Arabs are accustomed to meet the lion in true array of battle, 

 only refraining from the use of artillery itself, because they happen 

 to be destitute of that resource. 



When one of the monarch beasts has been committing his depre- 

 dations, the Arabs of the tribe which has suffered most severally 

 assemble at some rendezvous. The horsemen then take up their 

 position at the foot of the mountain where it is ascertained the lion 

 reposes during the day, whilst those on foot, uttering loud shouts, 

 advance in parties of thirty or forty to his retreat. 



At the first war-cry, the lion, if it is a young one, (and a lioness 

 unless she have her young one with her will do the same,) quits his 

 lair, to avoid a combat ; but as the mountains in this part are but 

 scantily wooded, he is generally perceived, and a few shots are 

 sufficient to bring him to battle. 



An adult lion will lazily arouse himself like a sluggard awakened 

 too soon; then, stretching and rubbing his sides against the bushes 

 from which he has risen, and shaking his thick matted mane, he listens 

 to the cries that reach him, and angrily scratches the earth with his 

 claws. Proceeding slowly to the nearest point of rock which com 

 manda the country below, he looks around on every side, and when 

 he has surveyed the scene, awaits the issue. 



