track at all hazards. The Indian game-finder
who continued with his commander, at last espied the lion in the covert,
and pointed him out to the Captain, who fired, but unfortunately missed
his mark. There was now no alternative left but to retreat and load his
rifle. Having retired to a distance he was joined by Lieutenant
Delamain, who had dismounted from his elephant on hearing the report of
the gun. This unexpected meeting increased the Captain's hopes of
ultimate success. He pointed out to the Lieutenant the place where he
would probably find the lion, and said he would be up with him in a
moment or two.

Lieutenant Delamain on going eight or ten paces down, got a sight of the
lion and discharged his rifle at him. This irritated the mighty king,
and he rushed towards him. Captain Woodhouse now found himself placed in
an awkward situation. He was aware that if he retraced his steps in
order to put himself in a better position for attack he would just get
to the point to which the lion was making, wherefore he instantly
resolved to stand still, in the hopes that the lion would pass by at a
distance of four yards or so, without perceiving him, as the intervening
cover was thick and strong. In this, however, he was deceived; for the
enraged lion saw him as he passed, and flew at him with a dreadful roar.
In an instant, as though it had been done by a stroke of lightning, the
rifle was broken and thrown out of the Captain's hand, his left leg at
the same moment being seized by the claws, and his right arm by the
teeth, of his desperate antagonist. Lieutenant Delamain ran up and
discharged his piece full at the lion; and this caused the lion and the
Captain to come to the ground together, whilst the Lieutenant hastened
out of the jungle to re-load his gun. The lion now began to crunch the
Captain's arm; but the brave fellow, notwithstanding the pain, had the
cool determined resolution to lie still. The lordly savage let the arm
drop out of his mouth, and quietly placed himself in a couching
position, with both his paws upon the thigh of his fallen foe. While
things were in this untoward situation, the Captain unthinkingly, raised
his hand to support his head, which had got placed ill at ease in the
fall. No sooner, however, had he moved it, than the lion seized the
lacerated arm a second time; crunched it as before, and fractured the
bone still higher up. This additional _memento mori_ from the lion was
not lost on Capt