THE RAJPOOTNI BRIDE. 
163 
dued with new energies. He felt his soul on a sud- 
den expand with the contemplation of some mighty 
enterprise, and while every nerve within his quiver- 
ing frame seemed newly strung, he uttered, in the 
Vehemence of his excited feelings, a deep, hoarse vow 
of vengeance. At this moment a lion crossed his path 
in the clear moonlight. It appeared to be ominous of 
his future destiny. “ Now,” thought he, “ here is the 
representative of my deadliest enemy. I will attack 
the monster with my sword, and, if I destroy him, it 
will be the pledge of my future revenge on the man 
to whom I owe a death. If I perish in the encounter, 
it will be a fortunate release at once from misery and 
disgrace.” 
He was armed with a conical shield which was 
strengthened by a thick brass boss, projecting from the 
centre, and terminating in a blunt point. Raising his 
heavy tulwar, he undauntedly approached the lion, 
which had by this time manifested symptoms of hos- 
tility so fearfully indicative of its deadly intentions. 
Its head was slightly depressed : its eyes glared with 
appalling ferocity : it licked its quivering chaps, open- 
ing every now and then its vast mouth as if to 
show the formidable weapons with which its jaws 
were armed. The Rahtore, nothing dismayed by these 
preliminary menaces, approached the grim savage with 
a quick step, dashed his shield violently against its 
head, and struck it so vigorous a blow across the skull 
as to cleave it in twain. The beast fell instantly 
dead before him. He smiled savagely as he saw it 
extended at his feet, as impotent to harm him as 
the earth-worm above which it lay. 
