212 KILL A LION. 



of the Parsees, called our attention to him. He was en- 

 deavoring to get sight of some object in the bushes, about 

 fifty yards down the stream, on the side of the camp. I 

 called to him to wait and allow me to try my rifle, and, 

 on going to the point at which he was standing, I beheld 

 two eyes, like glowing coals of fire, among the bushes. 

 They were evidently bent upon our camp. Their owner 

 was unmistakeable. Only a lion's eyes could glare so 

 vividly. What horrible meals tickled his imagination ! 

 With a cool aim at the dark space between those orbs of 

 fire, I gave my bullet wings the report rang on the air 

 an awful growl succeeded, and the eyes disappeared. We 

 watched patiently, but saw no more of the monarch beast 

 that night. 



We continued our conversation till daylight, which was 

 an agreeable relief. Then, with the eager curiosity of 

 an enthusiastic sportsman, I went to the spot where I had 

 seen the lion's eyes. I found great blotches of blood upon 

 the bushes, and the marks of the lion's writhing were 

 evident for several yards around. Following the traces, 

 I suddenly came upon the body of the animal near the 

 stream and a shout of triumph brought my companions 

 to my side. The animal was young, and not full grown, 

 but still its form had grace and majesty. A Parsee was 

 left to skin the lion while we ate breakfast, and having 

 Becured this additional trophy, we resumed our journey. 



