64 Mr Leslie 07i Lioii-hunting in South Africa. 



(Bushmen) with their poisoned arrows, destroy the Monarch of 

 these Wilds. From a tolerably long acquaintance and experi- 

 ence on the African Frontier, I am inclined positively to deny 

 both these opinions. I have seen the Lion on several occasions 

 hunted and slain, and heard the relations of many (on which I 

 could place more credit, than on those of the credulous Boor), 

 which bear ample testimony of his courage and noble bearing 

 when at bay. The Bushmen I have frequently seen practise 

 with their bows, but I have very little faith in the correctness 

 of their aim or the strength of their poison. The most authen- 

 tic relations I could obtain of their shooting even the smallest 

 species of the antelope, prove that the poison is not at all im- 

 mediate in its effect ; the wounded animal, with the barbed and 

 poisoned arrow in his side, will bound along the plain, where he 

 is traced by the Bushman'^s eagle eye until he staggers and falls 

 when the poison has been absorbed. If such is the case with a 

 weak and timid animal, what would it be with the powerful, 

 bold, and fiery lion .? destruction of the daring Bushman who 

 would attempt to meet him. I am well aware that they assert 

 their being able to kill the lion, but am confident it is for the 

 purpose of imposing on the credulous boor to magnify the power 

 of their favourite weapon. In nine months that we were en- 

 camped within a mile of a numerous craal of Bushmen, they 

 appeared to live almost wholly on roots, locusts, and ants, and 

 what they obtained from the neighbouring farmers, or from our 

 station. 



Those who have denied the noble daring of the lion, have 

 never seen him in his native desert. I have heard an individual 

 who was engaged in the hunt, of which Mr Pringle gives so 

 vivid a description, bear ample testimony of his high and fear- 

 less bearing in many a future encounter. My own experience 

 is in every instance in his favour. He has nothing of the cun- 

 ning, cowardice, or treachery ascribed to the tiger. In his con- 

 duct there appeared no pusillanimity. Before man he retreats 

 with coolness and deliberation. He avoids because he hates, 

 not because he fears him ; once confront him, convince him that 

 he is the object of your pursuit, and he retreats no longer. 

 Whatever may be the number of his enemies he will no longer 



