We now experienced the difference of feeling between hunting and being hunted, and fine sport we must have afforded him.
On he came, but fortunately so stunned by the collision with her Majesty's features upon the coin which he had dared to oppose that he could only reel forward at a slow canter.

By degrees even this pace slackened, and he fell.

We were only too glad to be able to reduce our speed likewise, but we had no sooner stopped to breathe, than he was again up and after us.

At length, however, we gained the tree, and we beheld him with satisfaction stretched powerless upon the ground, but not dead, within two hundred yards of us.
We retreated under cover of the forest to the spot at which we had left the horses, fortunately meeting no opposition from wild animals, and we shortly arrived at the village at which we took up our quarters, vowing vengeance on the following morning for the defeat that we had sustained.
A man is a poor defenceless wretch if left to defend himself against wild animals with the simple natural weapons of arms, legs, and teeth.

A tom-cat would almost be a match for him.