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 j 
with his commander, at last espied the lion in the j 
cover, and pointed him out to the captain, who j 
fired, but unfortunately missed his mark. There 
was now no alternative left but to retreat and load 
liis rifle. Having retired to a distance, he was 
joined by Lieutenant Delamain, w^ho 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 going 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 i 
rushed towards him, breaking through the bushes 
(to use the captain's own words) "in most magnifi-l 
cent style." Captain Woodhouse now found him-j 
self placed in an awkward situation. He was awar6i 
that if he retraced his steps in order to put himself 
