BKIXGIXG LIOXS TO BAY. 1 .'55 



spare gun, to give battle to the four grim lion*. 

 As I rode out of the peninsula, they showed the;n- 

 selves on the bank of the river, and, guessing that 

 their first move would be a disgraceful flight, I 

 determined to ride so as to make them think that I 

 had not observed them, until 1 should be able to cut 

 off their retreat from the river, across the open vley, 

 to the endless forest beyond. That point being 

 gained, I knew that they, still doubtful of my having 

 observed them, would hold their ground on the 

 river's bank until the dogs came up, when I could 

 more advantageously make the attack. 



" I cantered along, holding as if I meant to pass 

 the lions at a distance of a quarter of a mile, until 

 I was opposite to them, when I altered my course, 

 and inclined a little nearer. The lions then showed 

 symptoms of uneasiness ; they rose to their feet, 

 and overhauling us for half a minute, disappeared 

 over the bank. They reappeared, however, directly 

 a little further down ; 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 it 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 on their haunches. 

 Deeming it probable that when my do<_rs fame up 

 and I approached, they would still retreat and make a 

 bolt across the open vley, 1 directed Carey to canter 

 forward and take up the ground in the centre of the 

 vley about four hundred yards in advance, whereby 

 the lions would be compelled either to give us battle 



