We presently saw the whole pack of our dogs, as well as Coco, the
jackal, and the little ape, Mercury (who had been tempted by the
truffles to stay with them in the woods), come galloping at full speed
up to the fire.
Mercury was evidently excessively discomposed at finding us gone; he
gnashed his teeth, and chattered, as though in fear, looking
hopelessly at the water, through which he could not venture.
The dogs planted themselves by the fire, gazing fixedly landward, with
ears erect, and occasionally uttering a barking challenge, or a
suppressed howl.
Meantime, the horrid roarings approached nearer, and I concluded that a
couple of leopards or panthers had been attracted by the scent of the
boar's carcase.
But not long after I had expressed this opinion, we beheld a large
powerful animal spring from the underwood and, with a bound and
muttered roar, approach the fire. In a moment I recognized the
unmistakable outlines of the form of a lion, though in size he far
surpassed any I had ever seen exhibited in Europe.
The dogs slunk behind the fire, and the lion seated himself almost like
a cat on his hind legs, glaring alternately at them, and at the great
boar hams which hung near, with doubtless a mixed feeling of irritation
and appetite, which was testified by the restless movement of his tail.
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