HUNTING IN INDIA. 189 



mitted to engage in it, thus describes the way in 

 which matters were conducted. 



" As a preliminary step, an ass is tied near the 

 spot where the game-keepers have ascertained the 

 lion retires. The wretched animal is soon devoured, 

 and after so ample a meal the lion never seeks for 

 other prey, but without molesting either oxen, sheep, 

 or shepherd, goes in quest of water, and, after 

 quenching his thirst, returns to his former place of 

 retirement, lie sleeps until the next morning, 

 when he finds and devours another ass which the 

 gamekeepers have brought to the same spot. In 

 this way they contrive, during several days, by allur- 

 ing the lion, to attacli him to one place, and when 

 information is received of the king's approach, they 

 fasten to the spot where so many others have been 

 sacrificed, an ass, down whose throat a large quantity 

 of opium has been forced. This last meal is intended 

 to produce a soporific effect upon the lion. The next 

 operation is to spread large nets, made on purpose, 

 which are gradually drawn closer, in the manner 

 practised in hunting Xil-ghaus. Everything being in 

 this state of preparation, the king arrives on an 

 elephant barbed with iron, attended by the 

 grand "Master of the hunt, some omrahs mounted 

 on elephants, a great number of gourre-berdars 

 on horseback, and of game-keepers on foot, armed 

 with half pikes. He immediately approaches the 

 net o.n the outside, and fires at the lion with a large 

 muskctoon. The wounded animal makes a' spring 

 at the elephant, according to the invariable practice 

 of lions, but is arrested by the net; and the king 



