BATTLE WITH A LION. 127 



account. He conjectured, however, that she was 

 so exhausted by the severe chase that, when about 

 to make her last bound, which might not im- 

 probably have proved fatal, her strength utterly 

 failed her. 



" Returning one afternoon with Maphooh," says 

 Harris, (than whom no man more frequently at- 

 tacked when alone the lord of the Indian and African 

 wilds,) " to a koodoo that I had shot, in order to 

 take up the head, which I had concealed in a bush, 

 I was surprised to find an enormous lion feasting 

 upon the carcass ; an odious assemblage of eager 

 vultures, as usual, garrisoned the trees, wait- 

 ing their turn when the gorged monarch should 

 make way for them. Immediately upon my appear- 

 ance he walked heavily off, expressing, by a stiHed 

 growl, his displeasure at being thus unceremoniously 

 disturbed at dinner. It was not destined, however, 

 that our acquaintance should cease here ; for, 

 passing the scene of this introductory interview 

 the following morning, Richardson and myself 

 were suddenly made aware of the monster's 

 presence by perceiving a pair of gooseberry eyes 

 glaring upon us from beneath a shady bush ; and 

 instantly upon reining up our horses, the grim 

 savage bolted out with a roar like thunder, and 

 bounded across the plain with thr ability <>' a grey- 

 hound. The luxuriant beauty of his shaggy black 

 mane, which almost swept the groun-l, tempted us, 

 contrary to established rule, to !_;ive him battle, 

 with the design of obtaining posse.-sion of his 

 spoils; and he no sooner felt himself hotly pur- 

 sued than he faced about, and stood at bay in a 



