MY FIRST EXPERIENCE IN LION HUNTING. 265 



and an absolute confidence founded upon that Arm that is ever 

 around us and supports us, I would have faltered and failed. 

 But instead of that I could hear that roar so near me without 

 a fear, and to the last remained the master of my own heart 

 and the director of my actions. 



When I heard the lion making his last steps I moved a 

 little to one side. 



His enormous head came out from the dense foliage, as he 

 stepped with a commanding grace into the light of the open 

 glade, and then he halted half exposed, half concealed ; while 

 his great eyes dilated on me with a look of astonishment. I 

 took my aim between the eye and ear, and pressed the 

 trigger. 



From that instant until the report of the piece, my heart 

 absolutely ceased to beat. 



With the explosion of the gun, the smoke shut out every- 

 thing from my view, but a long roar of agony stunned my 

 ear, and frightened the forest. 



My two Arabs sprung to their feet, but without moving 

 from their places. I waited with one knee on the ground, 

 and my poniard in my hand, until the smoke that obscured 

 the view should dissipate. 



Then I saw, gradually, first a paw — and, heavens ! what a 

 paw for a living beast — then a shoulder, then the dishevelled 

 mane, and at last the whole lion stretched out on his side 

 without sign of life. 



" Beware ! don't go near him !" shouted Bou-Aziz, as he 

 threw a large stone at the body ; it fell on bis head and 

 bounced off; he did not move, the lion was dead. 



That was the evening of the eighth of July, one thousand 

 eight hundred and forty-four. 



Without giving me time to approach my prize, the Arabs 

 sprang upon me like two madmen, and I was nearly thrown 

 down and crushed by their transports of joy and gratitude. 



12 



