The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-08-04

them to approach within range Of his spring,
and then he made sudden dart Al the elephant,
clung on his trunk with q tremendous roar,
and wounded him just above The eye. While he
was in the act Of doing this, the two lieute-
nants fired at him, but without success. The
elephant now shook him Of, but the fierce and
sudden attack on the part Of the lion seemed
TO have thrown him into the greatest conster-
nation. This was the first fine he bad ever
come in contact with 50 formidable an animal;
and much exertion was used before his riders
succeeded in urging him on again in quest of
the lion. At last he became somewhat more
tractable; but as he was advancing through
the jungle, all of a sudden, the lion, which
had lain concealed in the high grass. made at
him with redoubled fury. The officers now
lost all hopes Of keeping their elephant in or
der. He turned round abruptly, and was
going away quite ungovernable, when the lion
again sprang al him, seized his hiader parts
with his teeth, and hung on them I'LL the az
frighted animal managed to shake him off by
incessant kicking.
The lion retreated farther into the thicket;
Capt. Woodhouse in the meantime firing
random shot at him, which proved Of no avail,
as the jolting Of the elephant, and the uproar
Of the moment prevented him from taking a
steady aim. No exertions on the part Of the
officers could now force the terrified elephant
to face his fierce Zoe, and they found them
selves reduced 70 the necessity Of dismount-
ing. Determined, however, to come to still
closer quarters with the formidable king Of
quadrupeds, Capt. Woedhouse toek the dcs-
perate resolution to proceed ON foot In quest
Of him; and after searching for some time, he
observed the lion indistinctly through the
bushes, and discharged his riah at him, but he
was pretty well convinced that he had not hit
him, for he saw the lion retire with the utmost
composure into the thicker parts Of the brake.
The two lieutenants, who had remained ut the
outside Of the jungle, joined their companion
on hearing the report Of his gun.
The weather was intolerably sulhy. After
vainly spending considerable time in creep
ing through the grass and bushes, with the
hope Of discovering the place Of the lions re-
treat, they concluded that he had passed quite
through the jungle, and gone off in an oppo-
site direction. Resolved not to let their game
escape, the lientenanfs returned to the eIe-
plant, and immediately proceeded round tho
jungle, expecting to discover the route which
they conjectured the lien had taken. Captain
Woodhouse, however remained in the thicket;
and as he could discern the print of the ami
mal's feet on the ground, he boldly resolved to
follow up the track at all hazards. The In
dian gamefindey, who continued with his COM
mander, at last espied the lion in the cover,
and pointed him out to the captain, who fired.
but unfortunately missed his mark. ] here
was now no alternative left but to retreat and
load his rifle. Having retired IN 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 captains hopes of uti-
mate success. He lost no time in pointing
out to the lieutenant the place where he would
probably find the lion, and said he would be up
with him in moment or two.
Lieut.. Delaman, on going eight or ten pa
ces down sheep track, got sight Of The
lion, and Instantly discharged his rifle at
him.
Impetus est fulvil ct vasta leonibus irar
ana ne rusncd towards nm, UtcaKrug vurougI.
the bushes Ito use the Captains own wordsl
!" in most magnificent Style" Capt Wood
house now found himself placed in an awk
ward situation. He was aware that if he re-
traced his steps in order to put himself in
better position for attack, he would just get
TO the point from which the lieutenant bud hr-
ed, and TO which The lion was making, where
fore he instantly resolved to stand still, in the
hopes that the lion would pass by, at dis
lance Of four yards or so, without perceivng
him, as the Intervening cover was thlck and
strong. In this, however, he was most unfor-
tunateIy deceived for the enraged lion saw
him in passing, and flew ut him with dread
full roar. In an instant, as though 10 had been
done by stroke of lightning, the rife was
broken and thrown out Of the captains hand,
his left arm at the same moment being seized
by the claws, and his right by the teeth, Of
his desperate antagonist. While these two
brave and sturdy combatants, whose courage
none could STAIN were yet standing in mortal
conflict, Lieutenant Delamain ran up, and
discharged his piece full at the lion. This
caused the lion and the captain to come to the
ground together, while Lieutenant Deamain
fastened out of the jungle to reload his gun.
The lion now began to craunch the captains
arm, but as the brave fellow, notwithstanding
the pain which this horrid process caused, had
the cool determined resolution 10 lie stilf the
lordly savage let the arm drop out OF his
mouth, and quietly placed himself in couch
ing position, with beth his paws upon the
thighs Of his fallen foe, While things were in
this untoward situation, the captain unthink-
ingly raised his hand to support his head
which had got placed i'll at ease in the fall. No
sooner, however, had he moved it, than the
lion seized the lacerated arm second time,
craunched il as before, and fractured the bone
still higher up. This, additional memcnfo MORT
from the lion was not lost upon Captain Wood
house it Immediately put him in mind that
he had committed an act of imprudence in
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