HISTORY OF THE LION. 7 



at bay by their violent and resolute barking. The courage 

 of these faithful animals was most admirable; they 

 advanced up to the side of the huge beast, and stood mak- 

 ing the greatest clamor in his face, without the least 

 appearance of fear. The lion, conscious of his strength, 

 remained unmoved at their noisy attempts, and kept his 

 head turned towards us. At one moment, the dogs per- 

 ceiving his eye thus engaged, had advanced close to his 

 feet, and seemed as if they would actually take hold of 

 him ; but they paid dearly for their imprudence, for, with- 

 out discomposing the majestic arid steady attitude in which 

 he stood fixed, he merely moved his paw, and, at the next 

 instant, I saw two lying dead. In doing this, he made so little 

 exertion, that it was scarcely perceptible by what means 

 they had been killed. Of the time which we gained by 

 the interference of the dogs, not a moment was lost : we 

 fired upon him ; one of the balls passed through his side, 

 just between the short ribs, and the 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 mis- 

 taken, 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.' 1 



The appearance of the lion, unannoyed, or in confine- 

 ment, where he is generally very tame, does not convey to 

 us that idea of ferocity which generally associates itself 

 with the greater number of the feline race. His ample 

 front and overhanging brows, surrounded with a long and 

 shaggy mane, remind us of something more majestic than 

 ferocity; but the gleam from his eye on the slightest 

 motion of the bystander, the expression of his countenance 

 and erection of his mane upon provocation, show that he 

 will not be trifled with, and are sufficient intimations of the 

 powers he is able to call to his assistance.- The general 



