APPENDIX 335 
He fired many times in succession and totally paralysed 
the animal. 
The lion roared like thunder as the bullets found their 
way to his heart. 
This Englishman, Patterson, is most brave, and is indeed 
the very essence of valour ; 
Lions do not fears lions, yet one glance from Patterson 
Sahib cowed the bravest of them. 
He fled, making for the forest, while the bullets followed 
hard after him ; 
So was this man-eater rendered helpless ; he lay down 
in despair, 
And after he had covered a chain’s distance, the savage 
beast fell down, a corpse. 
Now the people, bearing lights in their hands, all ran to 
look at their dead enemy. 
But the Sahib said “ Return, my children ; the night is 
dark, do not rush into danger.” 
And in the morning all the people saw the lion lying 
dead. 
And then the Sahib said, “ Do not think of work to-day 
—make holiday, enjoy and be merry.” 
So the people had holiday and made merry with friends 
from whom they had been long parted, on account of the 
lion : 
And the absence of those who had run away was 
forgiven, and their money allowed them— 
A generous action, comparable to the forgiveness of God 
and the Prophet to sinners and criminals on the day of 
judgment. 
Oh! poet, leave this kind of simile, it is too deep for 
thee ; 
We mortals have the Devil, like unto a fierce lion, ever 
after us ; 
Oh! Roshan, may God, the Prophet, and your spiritual 
adviser, safeguard you day and night ! 
