210 STALKING GNOOS IN COMPANY WITH LIONS. 



ground, they suddenly tossed tlieir heads, switched their tails, 

 scraped the earth impatiently with their hoofs, and sniffed the 

 air. I was puzzled how to account for this unusual agita- 

 tion, as, from my position, I was certain they could not have 

 discovered me. But I had not much time for conjecture, for 

 the next instant I was startled by the growl of some animal 

 close to me. On looking in the direction whence it proceed- 

 ed, I discovered, to my utter astonishment, two lions and a 

 lioness on the rising ground just above me, and, as it seem- 

 ed, they also were on the look-out for the gnoos.* I instinct- 

 ively leveled my piece at the head of the nearest of the beasts ; 

 but a moment's reflection convinced me that the odds were 

 too great, and I therefore thought it best to reserve my fire, 

 so as to be in readiness to receive them should they charge. 

 After having regarded me for a few seconds, however, they 

 growlingly disappeared behind a sand-hill. 



By this time the gnoos had become aware of the lions, 

 and were making off at the top of their speed. Being anx- 

 ious to obtain a shot at them, I followed on their tracks, but 

 soon found, to my dismay, that my three royal friends, with 

 jaws distended and uttering furious growls, were following a 

 course parallel to mine. Though I must confess I did not 

 at all like their looks, as only excessive hunger could have 

 induced them, in broad day, to seek for victims, I neverthe- 

 less continued to follow the tracks of the antelopes until they 

 led me into the bush, where I presently lost them as well as 

 myself. 



On first seeing the gnoos, I left my henchman "Bill," a 

 Damara lad, who carried my spare gun, at some distance 

 behind, with directions to follow on my track according to 

 circumstances. Now that the gnoos were lost to me, I shout- 

 ed loudly to the youth, and also discharged my gun more than 



* The plate facing the page represents two lions observing me, while 

 the lioness, not yet aware of my presence, is still eagerly pushing on 

 toward the intended victims. 



