186 
THE LION. 
or swim the river, which, although narrow, I knew 
they would be very reluctant to do. 
fit I now sat in my saddle anxiously awaiting the 
arrival of the dogs ; and while thus momentarily 
disengaged, I was much struck with the majestic 
and truly appalling appearance which these four 
noble lions exhibited. They were all full grown 
immense males, and I felt, I must confess, a little 
nervous, and very uncertain as to what might be 
the issue of the attack. 
66 When the dogs came up I rode straight in to¬ 
wards the lions. They sprang to their feet, and trotted 
slowly down along the bank of the river, once or 
twice halting and facing about for half a minute. 
Immediately below them, there was a small well 
determined bend of the stream, forming a sort of 
peninsula. Into this bend they disappeared, and 
the next moment I was upon them with my dogs. 
They had taken shelter in a dense angle of the 
peninsula, well sheltered by high trees and reeds. 
Into this retreat the dogs at once boldly followed 
them, making a loud barking, that was instantly 
followed by the terrible voices of the lions, which 
turned about and charged to the edge of the cover. 
Next moment, however, I heard them plunge into 
the river, when I sprang from my horse, and 
running to the top of the bank, saw three of them 
ascending the opposite bank, the dogs following. 
One of them bounded away across the open plain at 
top speed, but the other two, finding themselves 
followed by the dogs, immediately turned to bay. 
It was now my turn, so taking them coolly right 
