80 THE HORSE AND HIS RIDER. 



last he was handed over to the lion, but the mule, in- 

 stead of exhibiting any symptoms of alarm, quietly 

 receded to a corner, keeping his front opposed to his 

 adversary. Once planted in the corner, he resolutely 

 kept his place, eyeing every movement of the lion, 

 \vhich was preparing to spring upon him. The lion, 

 however, perceiving the difficulty of an attack, prac- 

 tised all his wiles to throw the mule off his guard, but 

 in vain. At length the latter, perceiving an opportunity, 

 made a sudden rush upon the lion, and in an instant 

 broke several of his teeth by the stroke of his fore-feet. 

 The ' king of beasts,' as he has been called, finding 

 that he had got quite enough of the combat, slunk 

 grumbling to his cage, and left the sturdy mule master 

 of the field." 



