172 AFRICAN WANDERINGS.

are destroyed or trodden into the ground. At some such places' we saw perfectly fresh marks of them ; and much did these excite us, as it was evident they had only on the army's advance retired somewhat further into the thickets. We much lamented we fell in with none of these giants of the forest ; for to see them moving about in their homes would doubtless afford a different sight from the tame specimens in Europe. Numbers also of the twohomed rhinoceros (the lower horn is the larger) are here to be met with. It is said to be of savage fierceness, to attack men and beasts as it meets them, nay even to engage in violent battle with the elephant, and often to vanquish it in spite of its greater agility. But to make up for our disappointment, another not less interesting scene was afforded us. Among the little Schaigie cavalry all of a sudden arose a loud shouting, all seized their arms, expecting an immediate attack of the Arabs. But soon we distinguished the cries of "Asset! asset!" (lion), and quickly we glanced round on all sides, anxiously expecting to see him burst forth. In the mean time the Pascha had issued orders to his chaseloving cavalry, not to leave their places on the appearance of the beast, under penalty of a punishment of 1000 blows ; as he, in this intricate ground, was much alarmed for any disorder among his ranks, and expected every moment an attack from the Arabs. We were at the time at the extreme head of the left wing, near Melek Mahmud, when all at once came out of the bushes on our side, not one hundred paces from us, a pretty large lioness, moving at a sharp trot : she seemed totally without fear, for at the sight of the whole army she did not quicken her pace. A minute later at the same spot appeared, roaring fearfully, a mighty lion, in great fury as it seemed ; he moved off yet slower than his mate, at times halting in his course, gazing at us, and when he had approached within sixty or seventy paces of us, he again gazed with furious eye at all, and then, with great bounds, was lost to our view. How much we were astounded, but at the same time delighted, at this scene, all may easily imagine : I for uiy own part openly confess, that the appearance of this savage beast, whose strength and courage have become a proverb, made a most peculiar impression on me ; had I been alone, and not in such a large and armed crowd, I would have assigned it to fear or alarm, but it would,