1 72 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS. 



had taken. Captain Woodhouse, however, remained 

 in the thicket, and as he could discern tho print of the 

 animal's foot on the ground, he boldly resolved to 

 follow up the track at all hazards. The Indian game- 

 finder, who continued with his commander, at first espied 

 the lion in the covert, and pointed him out to the Cap- 

 tain, who fired, but unfortunately missed his mark. 

 There was now no alternative left but to retreat and 

 load his rifle. Having retired to a distance, he was 

 joined by Lieutenant Delamain, who had dismounted 

 from his elephant on hearing the report of the gun. 

 This unexpected meeting increased the Captain's hopes 

 of ultimate success. He pointed out to the Lieutenant 

 the place where he would probably find the lion, and 

 said he would be up with him in a moment or two. 



Lieutenant Delamain, on going eight or ten paces 

 down, got a sight of the lion and discharged his rifle 

 at him. This irritated the mighty king, and he rushed 

 towards him. Captain Woodhouse now found himself 

 placed in an awkward situation. He was aware that if 

 he retraced his steps in order to put himself in a better 

 position for attack, he would just get to the point to 

 which the lion was making ; wherefore he instantly re- 

 solved to stand still, in the hope that the lion would pass 

 by at a distance of four yards or so, without perceiving 

 him, as the intervening cover was thick and strong. In 

 this, however, he was deceived ; for the enraged lion saw 

 him as he passed, and flew at him with a dreadful roar. 

 In an instant, as though it had been done by a stroke 

 of lightning, the rifle was broken and thrown out of the 

 Captain's hand, his left leg at the same moment being 

 seized by the claws, and his right arm by the teeth, of 

 liis desperate antagonist. Lifuteuant Delamain ran up 



