I Reloaded As Quickly
As Possible, Just As This Reckless Hamran Had Arrived Within
Springing Distance Of The Lion, Who Positively Slunk Away And
Declined The Fight; Retreating Into The Thick Thorns, It
Disappeared Before I Could Obtain A Shot.
Taher Noor explained,
that his object in advancing towards the lion was to attract its
attention; he had expected
That it would have remained in a
crouching position until I should have reloaded; but he ran the
extreme risk of a charge, in which case he would have fared badly
with simple sword and shield. Being close to the tent, I
returned, and, in addition to my single-barrelled rifle, I took
my two Reillys No. 10, with Hassan and Hadji Ali. In company with
Taher Noor we searched throughout the bushes for the wounded
lion, but without success. I now determined to make a cast,
hoping that we might succeed in starting some other animal that
would give us a better chance. The ground was sandy but firm,
therefore we made no sound in walking, and, as the forest was
bounded upon two sides by the river, and separated from the main
land by a ravine, the fire that had cleared the country of grass
had spared this portion, which was an asylum for all kinds of
game, as it afforded pasturage and cover. We had not continued
our stroll for five minutes beyond the spot lately occupied by
the lion, when we suddenly came upon two bull buffaloes, who were
lying beneath a thick bush on the edge of a small glade:
Enter page number
PreviousNext
Page 400 of 556
Words from 108756 to 109019
of 151461
