146 THE DEAD LION. 



we beheld the enraged majesty of the beast the eyes glow- 

 ing like living coals, and the bristling madness of the mane. 

 He disdained to fly, but stood looking for his foes, till the 

 darkness of death came over his sight, and with an awful 

 groan, which seemed to come from a heart striving to 

 conquer agony, he fell dead beside the fountain. 



The king of beasts was stretched in the dust by the 

 power of man. Not even when I beheld the enormous 

 elephant we had slain, did I experience such a noble thrill 

 of triumph such a proud consciousness of, superiority 

 as when this monarch of the plain, so renowned in story 

 and the metaphors of men, was stretched in death before 

 my eyes. The glory of the warrior was dimned in my 

 estimation, and I felt as if the powers conferred on man 

 by the Creator of all, and denied by his Providence to 

 beasts, were vindicated and displayed. 



We still hoped that other lions would visit the fountain 

 if not to drink, to feed upon our wildebeests. We were 

 disappointed however. Several hyenas came, in the eager 

 expectation of enjoying a plenteous meal ; but a few shots 

 scattered them far and wide. No other animals appeared 

 within rifle-shot till the white light of day filled the eastern 

 sky. We then left our place of concealment, feeling rather 

 stiff from remaining so long in one position, and eagerly 

 went to examine the results of our night's work. 



Our Hottentots reached the wildebeest before us ; for 



