24 FOEEST CREATURES. 



he was snorting with rage and suffering. As now and 

 then the almost frantic dogs closed upon him, he merely 

 made a sweep with his head and they again fell back. 

 He was seated on his hind quarters, like a dog, and did 

 not move to pursue them or rush at me. The bloody 

 foam flew around with his snortings, and his eye glared 

 at me as he saw mine so near, staring at him. I now 

 perceived he had been shot in the lower jaw which was 

 broken and hanoino- down, and this accounted for his 

 remaining stationary instead of advancing to the attack. 

 His most powerful weapon was useless ; he was like a 

 knight whose sword had snapped at the hilt. But he 

 did not flee, and, devoured mth wrath at his inability 

 to wreak veno-eance on his ao-oTcssors, he sat there and 

 kept them at bay. His watchful eye moved on every 

 side, and each attack was repelled, come from what 

 quarter it might. 



I could not but admire the noble animal, keeping 

 thus his foes, both brute and human, at bay ; and I was 

 so close to him that I could watch his expression 

 and follow every movement that he made. He fell at 

 last, however, maintaining his gallant bearing to the 

 close. A bullet ended the strife : and as he before had 

 uttered no complaint, so he now met his doom without 

 a crv. 



