212 THE LION. 



gained by tlie interference of the dogs not a moment 

 was lost; we fired upon him ; one of the balls went 

 through his side, just between the short ribs, and 

 blood began to flow, but the animal still remained 

 standing in the same position. We had now no 

 doubt that he would spring upon us; every gun was 

 instantly reloaded; but happily we were mistaken, 

 and were not sorry to see him move quietly away, 

 though I had hoped, in a few minutes, to have been 

 able to take hold of his paw without danger." 



Gerard narrates the following singular story : 

 " Some years previous to the occupation of Con- 

 stantine there was amongst the prisoners condemned 

 to death two brothers, who were to be executed on 

 the following day. 



"They were highwaymen,, of whom most sur- 

 prising feats of strength and courage were related. 

 The Bey, fearing they might escape, commanded 

 that they should be shackled in such wise that one 

 foot of each was enclosed in the same iron rinir, 



O 7 



which was afterwards riveted. 



" Xo one knew how it happened, but certain it is 

 thai, when the executioner presented himself, the 

 prison was empty ! 



"After making vain efforts to sever or open the 

 ring, the two brothers succeeded, by taking by- 

 paths, in eluding observation and in gaining the 

 open country. 



" At daybreak they hid themselves amongst the 

 rocks, and in the evening again continued their route. 



" Towards midnight they were met by a lion. 



"The two malefactors began to throw stones at 



