the lion, who courted the encounter about twenty
paces distant. I halted exactly opposite the noble
looking beast, who, seeing me in advance of the
party, increased his rage, and growled deeply, fixing
his glance upon the horse. I now patted Tdtel on the
neck, and spoke to him coaxingly; he gazed intently
at the lion, erected his mane and snorted, but showed
no signs of retreat. “ Bravo ! old boy ! ” I said, and
encouraging him by caressing his neck with my hand,
I touched his flank gently with my heel; I let him
just feel my hand upon the rein, and with a “ Come
along, old lad,” Tdtel slowly, but resolutely advanced
step by step towards the infuriated lion, that greeted
him with continued growls. The horse several times
snorted loudly, and stared fixedly at the terrible face
before him, but as I constantly patted and coaxed
him, he did not refuse to advance. I checked him
when within about six yards from the lion. This
would have made a magnificent picture, as the horse,
with astounding courage, faced the lion at bay; both
animals kept their eyes fixed upon each other, the
one beaming with rage, the other with cool determination.
This was enough—I dropped the reins upon
his neck; it was a signal that Tetel perfectly
understood, and he stood firm as a rock, for he knew
that'I was about to fire. I took aim at the head of
the glorious but distressed lion, and a bullet from the
little Fletcher dropped him dead. Tetel never flinched
at a shot. I now dismounted, and having patted and
coaxed the horse, I led him up to the body of the
lion, which I also patted, and then gave my hand to
the horse to smell. He snorted once or twice, and as
I released my hold of the reins, and left him entirely
free, he slowly lowered his head, and sniffed the mane
of the dead lion: he then turned a few paces upon
one side, and commenced eating the withered grass
beneath the nabbuk bushes. My Arabs were perfectly
delighted with this extraordinary instance of courage
exhibited by the horse. I had known that the beast
was disabled, but Tetel had advanced boldly towards
the angry jaws of a lion that appeared about to spring.
The camel was now brought to the spot and blindfolded,
while we endeavoured to secure the lion upon
its back. As the camel knelt, it required the united
exertions of eight men, including myself, to raise
the ponderous animal, and to secure it across the
saddle.
Although so active and cat-like in its movements, a
full-grown lion weighs about five hundred and fifty
pounds. Having secured it, we shortly arrived in
camp; the coup d’ceil was beautiful, as the camel
entered the inclosure with the shaggy head and
massive paws of the dead lion hanging upon one flank,
while the tail nearly descended to the ground upon
the opposite side. It was laid at full length before my
wife, to whom the claws were dedicated as a trophy to
be worn around the neck as a talisman. Not only are
the claws prized by the Arabs, but the moustache of
the lion is carefully preserved and sewn in a leather
envelop, to be worn as an amulet; such a charm is