HUNTERS AT EAULT. 
177 
and accustomed to the chasse, almost instantly 
shook off its fierce assailant, who fell with violence 
to the ground. This desperate mode of attack and 
reprisal was on both sides repeated in more than 
one instance, and this, moreover, within view of 
Major Delamaine, who, though prevented—for the 
reason mentioned—from taking part in the conflict, 
was, from the outside of the brake, intently watching 
the proceedings of his friend. But after a time, 
whether from having left the 44 patch,” or from having 
concealed himself, thebeast was no longer to befound. 
44 It was at the period of the monsoon, and just 
as the hunters were 4 at fault , 5 there came on a 
heavy shower of rain, when, principally for the 
sake of the guns, it was deemed best to retire for 
shelter to some trees in the more open country at a 
few hundred paces distance. 
44 The storm soon passed over, but being doubtful 
whether their guns might not be wet, it was thought 
advisable to discharge them. This was no sooner 
done, however, than the lion began to roar ter¬ 
rifically, and continued doing so for some time, in 
the direction of the late scene of conflict, from 
which it was pretty evident, that, though they had 
been unable to find him in the 4 patch , 5 he had 
been harboured there the whole time. 
44 When reloaded, the party therefore returned to 
the 4 patch , 5 and were informed by one of the 
4 markers 5 that, on the report of the guns, the lion 
had rushed roaring from thence into the more open 
country, evidently for the purpose of venting his 
rage on the first object that came across his path. 
. N 
