A LION HUNT. 213 



with two at once is dangerous from tlie chance of 

 one breaking in while the other receives all or most 

 of the shots,) directed us rather to the left, that we 

 might gain equality of ground, and keeping a wary 

 eye on the nearest, he said quickly, ' Let's dismount 

 now, and be smart, or she'll be in upon us before 

 we know where we are.' 



" There was an immediate halt and dismounting. 

 Two seconds sufficed for Captain A. and myself to 

 stand f ready,' gun in hand, as our horses stood un- 

 held ; but about a minute elapsed before the servants 

 (except three who carried second guns) had secured 

 the reins of all the steeds ; and after a rapid glance 

 at our locks and copper caps, we advanced in a line 

 at about two paces' distance from each other, the 

 servants in our rear. 



" The scene was now magnificently grand and ex- 

 citing. Broad sheets of lightning flashed from every 

 part of the heavens ; heavy drops were falling, and 

 a general gloomy mist half veiled the hills, but un- 

 heeded, for every eye was fixed on one spot, where 

 the noble savage lay facing us, with a stern coun- 

 tenance ; her wide, round, yellow eyes, with small, 

 jet-black pupils glaring fiercely, and her massy fore- 

 paws half raising from the turf her milk-white chest 

 and throat. She lashed the ground on either side 

 alternately with her tail, which swung over her back 

 in regular pendulum-like vibrations, and her formid- 

 able jaws opening with a grim yawn, seemed to emit 



