HISTORY OF THE LION. 



where the cover mostly fringes the banks of the rivers, or 

 marks the spot of some spring of the desert, he is more 

 frequently seen ; he is satisfied with a less extensive pro- 

 tection, and is often disturbed from a patch of brush or 

 rushes. Burchel met with a pair in such a situation as 

 this, which was, perhaps, one of his most dangerous 

 encounters throughout his long and varied travels, and in 

 which his presence of mind brought him off unhurt. 



" The day was exceedingly pleasant, and not a cloud was 

 to be seen. For a mile or two, we travelled along the 

 banks of the river, which in this part abounded in tall 

 mat-rushes. The dogs seemed much to enjoy prowling 

 about, and examining every bushy place, and at last met 

 with some object among the rushes which caused them to 

 set up a most vehement and determined barking. We 

 explored the spot with caution, as we suspected, from the 

 peculiar tone of their bark, that it was, what it proved to 

 be, lions. Having encouraged the dogs to drive them out 

 a task which they performed with great willingness we 

 had a full view of an enormous black-maned lion and 

 lioness. The latter was seen only for a minute, as she 

 made her escape up the river, under cover of the rushes ; 

 but the lion came steadily forward, and stood still to look 

 at us. At this moment, we felt our situation not free from 

 danger, as the animal seemed preparing to spring upon us, 

 and we were standing upon the bank at the distance of 

 only a few yards from him, most of us being on foct, and 

 unarmed, without any visible possibility of escaping. I 

 had given up my horse to the hunters, and was on foot 

 myself; but there was no time for fear, as it was useless to 

 attempt avoiding him. I, however, stood well upon my 

 guard, holding my pistols in my hands ready for fire, and 

 those who had muskets kept themselves prepared in the 

 same manner. But at this instant the dogs boldly flew in 

 between us and the lion, and, surrounding him, kept him 





