. The travels and surprising adventures of Baron Munchausen; . , wherewe were received with great marks of friendshipand true politeness. The following singular adven-ture may not prove unentertaining. After we had resided at Ceylon about a fortnight,I accompanied one of the governors brothers upona shooting-party. He was a strong, athletic man,and being used to that climate (for he had residedthere some years), he bore the violent heat of thesun much better than I could ; in our excursion hehad made a considerable progress through a thickwood when I was only at the entrance. Kear the banks of
. The travels and surprising adventures of Baron Munchausen; . , wherewe were received with great marks of friendshipand true politeness. The following singular adven-ture may not prove unentertaining. After we had resided at Ceylon about a fortnight,I accompanied one of the governors brothers upona shooting-party. He was a strong, athletic man,and being used to that climate (for he had residedthere some years), he bore the violent heat of thesun much better than I could ; in our excursion hehad made a considerable progress through a thickwood when I was only at the entrance. Kear the banks of a large piece of water, whichhad engaged my attention, I thought I heard arustling noise behind; on tmning about, I w^as al-most petrified (as who would not?) at the sight ofa lion, which was evidently approaching with theintention of satisfying his appetite with my poorcarcass, and that without asking my consent. Whatw^as to be done in this horrible dilemma ? I hadnot even a moment for reflection; my piece wasonly charged with swan-shot, and I had no other. THE BARON RELATING HIS ADVENTURES. BAEON MUNCHAUSEN. 17 about me; however, though I could have no ideaof killing such an animal with that weak kind ofammunition, yet I had some hopes of frighteninghim by the report, and perhaps of wounding himalso. I immediately let fly, without waiting till hewas within reach; and the report did but enragehim, for he now quickened his pace, and seemed toapproach me full speed : I attempted to escape, butthat only added (if an addition could be made) tomy distress; for the moment I turned about, Ifound a large crocodile, with his mouth extended,almost ready to receive me; on my right hand wasthe piece of water before mentioned, and on myleft a deep precipice, said to have, as I have sincelearned, a receptacle at the bottom for venomouscreatures: in short, I gave myself up as lo8t, for thelion was now upon his hind-legs, just in the act ofseizing me ; I fell involuntarily to the groimd with
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