HUNTING THE LION. 459 



Immediately an Arab perceives him, lie exclaims, in a loud voice, 

 "He is there;" and the cry, rising distinctly above the incoherent 

 shouts of the multitude, is at once understoqd by all. Its effect ia 

 instantaneous, Every voice is hushed to silence. Those to whom 

 the lion is visible involuntarily stop and gaze at him, and the more 

 distant parti3s quickly gather to the spot. 



A long pause ensues. The Arabs examine the priming of their 

 guns, and try the edge of their yatagans, (Turkish swords,) and the 

 lioc, licks his paws, and rubs his face and maire, as if performing his 

 toilette before the battle. Then an Arab advances from the group, 

 and addresses the majestic creature in language of defiance. He says, 

 " Do you not know us, since you thus continue to stand before us ? 



Get thee up and fly, for we are the men of such a tribe, and I am ," 



proclaiming his name. The lion, who has made his meal of more 

 than one native who had apostrophized him in the same valiant terms, 

 disregards the warning, and with unruffled dignity proceeds with his 

 toilette. Another of his assailants bids him begone ; and not show- 

 ing any disposition to obey, the ears of the poor beast are presently 

 stunned with such a torrent of abuse, in the midst of which may be 

 heard the contemptuous epithets of "Jew," " Christian," "Infidel," 

 &c., strangely mingled, that enraged at the annoyance, he springs 

 to his feet, and lashing his sides with his tail, marches on to thr 

 attack. The combat begins. Blood is shed. More than one rock 

 and more than one bush, are marked by it. It is the blood of the 

 bravest, who were the foremost in the encounter. The footmen, 

 wounded and repulsed, retreat before the enemy to the plain where 

 the cavalry have taken their position. Warned of the approach of 

 the beast, these hastily prepare for action. They gallop wildly about, 

 brandish their weapons in the air, and add to the confusion' by loud 

 and discordant shouts. But the lion watches their manoeuvres, and 

 maintains his vantage-ground. -He will not venture out into the un- 

 sheltered plain. Their utmost provocations fail. Some one must 

 approach him and fire. There is a moment perhaps of hesitation, 

 when an aged man, who has some kindred to avenge, addresses his 

 comrades, " Young men," he says, " if any among you is afraid of 

 death, let him go back." No one moves. The Arab who should 



