THE KING OF BEASTS. 59 



under a heavy fire, limping and discomfited to his stronghold. Again we bom- 

 barded him, and again he rushed exasperated into the plain with headlong fi.iry — 

 the blood now streaming from his open jaws, and dyeing his mane with crimson. 

 It was a gallant charge, but it was to be his last. A well-directed shot arrested 

 him in full career, he pitched with violence upon his skull, and after throwing a 

 complete somerset he subsided amid a cloud of dust." 



Lions are carnivorous, living upon the flesh of such animals as they may 

 kill, or the carcases of those they meet with in their wanderings. Sometimes 

 they carry off men ; and it is said that when a Lion has once tasted human flesh 

 he prefers it to all other, and exercises all his ingenuity to obtain it, watching the 

 abode of his destined victim for days, until a favourable opportunity occurs for him 

 to make the fatal spring. Hence, these man-eaters, as they are called, are always 

 considered much more dangerous than any others, and sometimes the male popula- 

 tion of an entire African village will join in the pursuit of their dangerous enemy. 

 His death is celebrated with the greatest rejoicings, and the conquerors return in 

 triumph bearing the skin of the slain animal before them to gladden the hearts of 

 all who see it. The man-eater's attacks are always sudden and unexpected. On 

 dark nights, he prowls cautiously around the encampment, ascertaining the position 

 of those who are sitting around the fire ; and having selected some particular 

 person, he crawls silently up until attaining a favourable distance, the spring is 

 made, the victim seized in the powerful jaws, and is borne away from the very 

 midst of his companions so suddenly that they hardly have time to learn what 

 has happened, much less to offer any defence. 



During stormy nights,, when the rain is descending in torrents, and the 

 trees are bending before the force of the tempest, when the impenetrable darkness 

 is illuminated only by the vivid, momentary flashes of lightning, and the country 

 echoes to the crash of the terrible peals of thunder, then the. Lion is boldest, and his 

 deep-toned roar is heard, competing in volume of sound with that of the artillery 

 of Heaven, as he comes forth in search of prey. Even amid the gloom, his quick 

 eye discerns the timid antelopes, which, retreating from the storm, seek shelter by 

 crowding close together in trembling ranks. One speedily falls, at a blow of his 

 mighty paw. The monarch drags his prey near to the water amid the covering 

 of the thickets, and stopping for a moment to roar his defiance at the forked light- 

 ning, prepares to commence the evening's feast. 



