A DRILL,IANT LION HUNT. 275 



and, finding that their present position was bare, they 

 walked majestically along the top of the bank to a 

 spot a few hundred yards lower, where the bank was 

 well wooded. Here they seemed half inclined to await 

 my attack ; two stretched out their massive arms, and 

 lay down in the grass, and the other two sat up like 

 dogs upon their haunche^s. Deeming it probable that 

 when my dogs came up and I approached they would 

 still retreat and make a bolt across the open vley, I di- 

 rected Carey to canter forward and take up the ground 

 in the center of the vley about four hundred yards in 

 advance, whereby the lions would be compelled either 

 to give us battle or swim the river, which, although 

 narrow, I knew they would be very reluctant to do. 



I now sat in my saddle, anxiously awaiting the ar- 

 rival of the dogs, and, while thus momentarily disen- 

 gaged, was much struck with the majestic and truly 

 appalling appearance which these four lions exhibited 

 They were all full-grown, immense males; and I felt, 

 I must confess, a little nervous, and very uncertain as 

 to what might be the issue of the attack. When the 

 dogs came up I rode right in toward the lions. They 

 sprang to their feet and trotted slowly down along the 

 bank of the river, once or twice halting and facing 

 about for half a minute. Immediately below them 

 there was a small determined bend in the stream, form- 

 ing a sort of peninsula. Into this bend they disappear- 

 ed, and next moment I was upon them with my dogs. 

 They had taken shelter in a dense angle of the penin- 

 sula, well sheltered by high trees and reeds. Into this 

 retreat the dogs at once boldly followed them, making 

 a .'oud barking, which was instantly followed by the 

 terrible voices of the lions, which turned about and 

 charged to the edge of the cover. Next moment, how- 



