HUNTING TN INDIA. 
189 
mitted to engage in it, thus describes the way in 
which matters were conducted. 
£e As a preliminary step, an ass is tied near the 
spot where the game-keepers have ascertained the 
lion retires. The wretched animal is soon devoured, 
and after so ample a meal the lion never seeks for 
other prey, but without molesting either oxen, sheep, 
or shepherd, goes in quest of water, and, after 
quenching his thirst, returns to his former place of 
retirement. He sleeps until the next morning, 
when he finds and devours another ass which the 
gamekeepers have brought to the same spot. In 
this way they contrive, during several days, by allur¬ 
ing the lion, to attach him to one place, and when 
information is received of the king’s approach, they 
fasten to the spot where so many others have been 
sacrificed, an ass, down whose throat a large quantity 
of opium has been forced. This last meal is intended 
to produce a soporific effect upon the lion. The next 
operation is to spread large nets, made on purpose, 
which are gradually drawn closer, in the manner 
practised in hunting Nil-ghaus. Everything being in 
this state of preparation, the king arrives on an 
elephant barbed with iron, attended by the 
grand Master of the hunt, some omrahs mounted 
on elephants, a great number of gourre-berdars 
on horseback, and of game-keepers on foot, armed 
with half pikes. He immediately approaches the 
net oh the outside, and fires at the lion with a large 
musketoon. The wounded animal makes a spring 
at the elephant, according to the invariable practice 
of lions, but is arrested by the net; and the king 
