THE LION AND OTHER BEASTS OF PREY 
221 
the wilds, when he came suddenly upon a lion, which, instead of 
giving way, seemed disposed, from the angry attitude he assumed, to 
dispute with him the dominion of the desert. Diederik instantly 
alighted, and confident of his unerring aim leveled his gun at the 
forehead of the lion, who was crouched in the act to spring, within 
fifteen paces of him; but at the moment the hunter fired, his horse, 
whose bridle was round his arm, started back and caused him to miss. 
The lion bounded forward, but stopped within a few paces, confronting 
Diederik who stood defenseless, his gun discharged, and his horse 
THE LION IN PURSUIT 
running off. The man and the beast stood looking at each other in 
the face for a short space. At length the lion moved backward as if 
to go away. Diederik began to load his gun, the lion looked over 
his shoulder, growled, and returned. Diederik stood still. The lion 
again moved cautiously off, and the hunter continued to load and ram 
down his bullet. The lion again looked back and growled angrily : 
and this occurred repeatedly, until the animal had got off to some 
distance when it took fairly to its heels and bounded away. 
Adventure with a Lion Cub. —-A gentleman had obtained a 
lion cub while quite young, and had carefully trained him as a pet, 
