214 
LION. 
plains. If he keeps either in a coppice or wood 
on a rising ground, they tease him with dogs till 
he is provoked to come out ; they generally go two 
or more in company, that one may assist and rescue 
the other, if the first shot should chance to miss. If 
the lion sees the hunters at a considerable distance, 
he endeavours to get out of sight as fast as he can ; but 
if he is near when they discover him, he walks off 
in a surly manner, without hurrying himself in the 
least, as if, says Church, he scorned to show any 
fear. When he finds himself vigorously pursued, 
he is soon provoked to resist, or at least he dis- 
dains to fly any longer. He now slackens his pace, 
and at length only slides away slowly, step by step, 
eyeing his pursuers askance as he retreats : at 
length he makes a stand, turns round to face them, 
and giving himself a shake, he roars with a short 
and sharp tone, being then in fact ready to spring 
on them and tear them in pieces. This is the 
precise time for the hunters to approach the lion, 
keeping at a proper distance from each other; and 
he that is nearest, and has the best mark presented 
him of that part of the lion’s body which contains 
his heart and lungs, should be the first to jump 
from his horse, and, securing his bridle, by putting 
it round his arm, discharge his gun ; then instantly 
recovering his seat, he must ride obliquely across 
his companions, and, giving the reins to his horse, 
must trust entirely to his speed and fear, to con- 
vey him from the reach and fury of the enraged 
beast, if he has only wounded, or totally missed 
