HUNTERS AT FAULT. 177 



and accustomed to the chasse, almost instantly 

 shook off its fierce assailant, who fell with violence 

 to the ground. This desperate mode of attack and 

 reprisal was on both sides repeated in more than 

 one instance, and this, moreover, within view of 

 Major Delamaine, who, though prevented- for the 

 reason mentioned from taking part in the conflict, 

 was, from the outside of the brake, intently watching 

 the proceedings of his friend. But after a time, 

 whether from having left the " patch," or from having 

 concealed himself, thebeast was no longer to be found. 



" It was at the period of the monsoon, and just 

 as the hunters were ' at fault,' there came on a 

 heavy shower of rain, when, principally for the 

 sake of the guns, it was deemed best to retire for 

 shelter to some trees in the more open country at a 

 few hundred paces distance. 



" The storm soon passed over, but being doubtful 

 whether their guns might not be wet, it was thought 

 advisable to discharge them. This was no sooner 

 done, however, than the lion began to roar ter- 

 riiicallv, and continued doing so for some time, in 



*/ * O 



the direction of the late scene of conflict, from 

 which it was pretty evident, that, though they had 

 been unable to find him in the ' patch,' he had 

 been harboured there the whole time. 



"When reloaded, the party therefore returned to 

 the 'patch,' and were informed by one of the 

 ' markers ' that, on the report of the guns, the lion 

 had rushed roaring from thence into the more open 

 country, evidently for the purpose of venting his 

 rage on the first object that came across his path. 



