PUUSU1T OF A LIONESS. 125 



in the chasse. Indeed, provided the country be 

 tolerably open, and the man well mounted, he ought 

 to make pretty sure of his game. 



On these occasions the hunter usually reserves 

 liis fire until such times as the lion crouches, or 

 stands at bay to the dogs, which if he be hard pressed 

 soon occurs. The man then reins up within easy 

 distance of, and in a parallel line with the beast, and, 

 without dismounting, discharges his piece, taking 

 care at the same instant to dig his spurs into the 

 sides of his steed, and lo ride off at full speed, for if 

 life be left in the lion he is pretty sure to " charge." 



Hence the Chasseur must be careful not to ap- 

 proach the brute too closely when he is about to 

 deliver his fire, for its speed is such, for a short 

 distance at least, that unless the horse has a pretty 

 good start, the issue becomes somewhat doubtful. 

 Indeed, from being in too close proximity to the 

 lion, when he made his rush, more than one 

 of my friends have been plaeed in the most dangerous 

 and critical positions. 



Mr. Oswell, for example, was one day pursuing a 

 lioness, who after a while took refugj in a dense 

 thicket. The dogs attacked her gallantly, but 

 though her growls were loud and many, the bushes 

 prevented my friend from obtaining a sight of her. 

 Presently, however, having passed some little dis- 

 tance beyond the brake where she was couched, he- 

 was attracted by a noise behind him, and mi looking 

 round, saw the enraged beast bounding towards him 

 Being on .Mr. Os well's right side, lie was, unfor- 

 tunately, unable lo fire ; but even had it been oilier- 



