V COURAGEOUS SAVAGES 93 



In countries where lions have long lived un- 

 disturbed by human beings, and where they have 

 really been the undisputed lords of the wilderness, 

 they roar very freely, and may often be heard even 

 after the sun has risen. But when white men 

 suddenly invade a well -stocked game -country and 

 disturb its peace by continual shooting, lions 

 gradually grow more and more silent, till it becomes 

 rare to hear one roar at all, though there may still 

 be a good many of them about. The African lion 

 is essentially a wilderness hunter and a game-killer, 

 but when man, whether savage or civilised, en- 

 croaches upon his preserves, killing or driving off 

 the game, and bringing in cattle, sheep, and goats 

 in their place, then he preys upon these newly 

 introduced animals and wars with their guardians 

 to the death. 



Before the introduction of firearms amongst the 

 Matabele, these courageous savages, though only 

 armed with shield and spear, were accustomed to 

 join battle without a moment's hesitation with any 

 lion or lions that interfered with the cattle given 

 over to their charge by their king. Full and drowsy 

 after his feed of beef, the marauding lion would not 

 usually go far from the carcase of the ox or cow 

 he had killed before lying down to sleep. Soon 

 after break of day the swarthy cattle guards would 

 track him to his lair and silently surround and then 

 close in on him, heaping every term of abuse upon 

 his head as they did so. The lion thus roused, and 

 seeing all retreat cut off, would stand at bay, and 

 growling savagely, with head held low, ears laid 

 flat, lashing tail, and mouth held slightly open, 

 would glance from side to side with blazing eyes 

 upon its foes. Then a picked man of dauntless 

 heart, armed with a single stabbing spear and a 

 very large ox-hide shield, would rush forward alone 

 towards the lion, cursing and abusing it in true 



