282 A HUNTER'S WANDERINGS ch. 



a ring on the bridle, to my belt, to check a horse in 

 case he wishes to bolt when I dismount, I did not 

 like to get ofF, not feeling sure that the horse would 

 stand, but pulling him broadside, fired from the 

 saddle. As the horse was still panting from the 

 effect of the gallop after the tsessebe antelope, I 

 could not get a steady aim, and missed. The lion 

 did not budge, but still stood in the same place, 

 eyeing me attentively. Hastily pushing in another 

 cartridge, I then sprang to the ground, resolving to 

 take my chance as to whether the horse would stand, 

 and make as sure as possible of my shot at the lion ; 

 just as I raised my little rifle the grim-looking beast 

 turned his head and glanced over his shoulder, an 

 action which is said by old Dutch hunters to be a 

 certain preliminary to a charge. However, a second 

 later I fired, bringing him on to his head with his tail 

 in the air, roaring tremendously. I then reloaded 

 and mounted my good horse, that had stood motion- 

 less beside me all this time, unmoved either by the 

 report of the rifle or the hoarse growling of the lion. 

 His race was, however, run, for, after pushing him- 

 self along the ground for about twenty yarcis by a 

 series of kicks from his hind legs, he rolled over on 

 his side, a sure sign with a lion that he is dead or 

 dying. Riding alongside of him, I dismounted and 

 admired at my leisure one of the noblest prizes that 

 have as yet fallen to my rifle. In dying this lion made 

 a most terrific noise. He kept filling his lungs with 

 air, and then emitting roars which might have been 

 heard (and which the Kafirs did hear) miles away. 

 He was an enormous brute — the largest I have yet 

 killed, and had a beautiful sleek coat and a lovely 

 mane, long and flowing, black on the shoulders, 

 and bright yellow on the cheeks. The measurements 



