118 



DEFENCE AGAINST ANIMALS OF 



off in an opposite direction. Resolved not to let 

 their game escape, the lieutenants returned to the 

 elephant, and immediately proceeded round the 

 jungle, expecting to discover the route which they 

 conjectured the lion had taken. Captain Wood- 

 house, however, remained in the thicket ; and as he 

 could discern the print of the animal's feet on the 

 ground, he boldly resolved to follow up the track at 

 all hazards. The Indian game-finder, who continued 

 with his commander, at last espied the lion in the 

 cover, and pointed him out to the captain, who 

 fired, but unfortunately missed his mark There 

 was now no alternative left but to retreat and load 

 his rifle. Having retired to a distance, he was 

 joined by Lieutenant Delamain, who had dismounted 

 from his elephant on hearing the report of the gun. 

 This unexpected meeting increased the captain's 

 hopes of ultimate success. He lost no time in 

 pointing out to the lieutenant the place where he 

 would probably find the lion, and said he would be 

 up with him in a moment or two. 



Lieutenant Delamain, on goin-g eight or ten paces 

 down a sheep track, got a sight of the lion, and 

 instantly discharged his rifle at him. 



" Impetus est fulvis, et vasta leonibus ira !" 



This irritated the mighty lord of the woods, and he 

 rushed towards him, breaking through the bushes 

 (to use the captain's own words) " in most magnifi- 

 cent style." Captain Woodhouse now found him- 

 self placed in an awkward situation. He was aware 

 that if he retraced his steps in order to put himself 



