114 LION HUNT. 



had not yet succeeded in obtaining a sufficiency of animals. 

 He was also anxious to see and explore Erongo, a mountain 

 famous at once for its peculiar formation, and as a strong- 

 hold of that curious race, the Hill-Damaras. Mr. Galton 

 was accompanied by Hans, who had already visited the place, 

 and a few other servants. On his return from Erongo, we 

 were to start, with the wagons, up the country. 



One day, when eating my humble dinner, I was interrupt- 

 ed by the arrival of several natives, who, in breathless haste, 

 related that an ongeama, or lion, had just killed one of their 

 goats close to the mission station (Richterfeldt), and begged 

 of me to lend them a hand in destroying the beast. They 

 had so often cried " wolf" that I did not give much heed to 

 their statements ; but, as they persisted in their story, I at 

 last determined to ascertain its truth. Having strapped to 

 my waist a shooting-belt, containing the several requisites of 

 a hunter, such as bullets, caps, knife, &c., I shouldered my 

 trusty double-barreled gun (after loading it with steel-point- 

 ed balls), and followed the men. 



In a short time we reached the spot where the lion was 

 believed to have taken refuge. This was in a dense tama- 

 risk brake of some considerable extent, situated partially on 

 and below the sloping banks of the Swakop, near to its junc- 

 tion with the Ommutenna, one of its tributaries. 



On the rising ground above the brake in question were 

 drawn up, in battle array, a number of Damaras and Nama- 

 quas, some armed with assegais, and a few with guns. Oth- 

 ers of the party were in the brake itself, endeavoring to oust 

 the lion. 



But as it seemed to me that the "beaters" were timid, 

 and, moreover, somewhat slow in their movements, I called 

 them back, and, accompanied by only one or two persons, as 

 also a few worthless dogs, entered the brake myself. It was 

 rather a dangerous proceeding ; for, in places, the cover was 

 so thick and tangled as to oblige me to creep on my hands 



