PURSUIT OF A LIONESS. 
125 
in the chasse . Indeed, provided the country be 
tolerably open, and the man well mounted, he ought 
to make pretty sure of his game. 
On these occasions the hunter usually reserves 
his fire until such times as the lion crouches, or 
stands at bay to the dogs, which if he be hard pressed 
soon occurs. The man then reins up within easy 
distance of, and in a parallel line with, the beast, and, 
without dismounting, discharges his piece, taking 
care at the same instant to dig his spurs into the 
sides of his steed, and to ride off' at full speed, for if 
life be left in the lion he is pretty sure to “ charge.” 
Hence the Chasseur must be careful not to ap¬ 
proach the brute too closely when he is about to 
deliver his fire, for its speed is such, for a short 
distance at least, that unless the horse has a pretty 
good start, the issue becomes somewhat doubtful. 
Indeed, from being in too close proximity to the 
lion, when he made his rush, more than one 
of my friends have been placed in the most dangerous 
and critical positions. 
Mr. Oswell, for example, was one day pursuing a 
lioness, who after a while took # refuge in a deuse 
thicket. The dogs attacked her gallantly, but 
though her growls were loud and many, the bushes 
prevented my friend from obtaining a sight of her. 
Presently, however, having passed some little dis¬ 
tance beyond the brake where she was couched, he 
was attracted by a noise behind him, and on looking- 
round, saw the enraged beast bounding towards him 
Being on Mr. Os wells right side, he was, unfor¬ 
tunately, unable to fire; but even had it been other- 
