THE LION. 143 
that the Lion, even when gorged with horse-flesh, would not be so neglectful of his safety 
as to sleep with more than one eye at a time, and that, although he had walked with great 
care through the bush, he had probably caused the Lion to be watchful; if, therefore, he 
should go up to the carcass of the horse, he might be pounced upon at once, 
To sit down quietly within a few yards of a Lion, whose exact hiding-place was not 
known, required a certain amount of nerve; but the Boer knew what he was about, and 
had adopted the best and safest method to conquer his foe. 
After remaining silent and watchful for several minutes, the Boer at leneth saw that 
an indistinctly outlined object was moving behind some large, broad-leafed plants, and 
at about twenty paces from, him, This object proved to be the Lion, which was half- 
crouched behind some shrubs, and was attentively watching the bushes near the Boer. 
The head only was clearly visible, the body being concealed by the foliage. 
It was evident that the Lion was aware that some person or thing had approached, 
but was not certain where this thing was now concealed. The Boer knew that this was a 
critical period for him, and therefore remained perfectly steady ; he did not like to risk a 
shot at the forehead of the Lion, for it would require a very neat shot to insure a death 
wound, and the number of branches and twigs which were on the line of flight of the 
bullet would render a clear course almost impossible. 
The Lion, after a careful inspection, appeared to be satisfied, and laid down behind the 
shrubs. The Boer then cocked both barrels of his heavy roer, and turned the muzzle 
slowly round, so that he covered the spot on which the Lion lay, and shifted his position 
so as to be well situated for a shot. 
The slight noise which he made in moving attracted the attention of the Lion, who 
immediately rose to his feet. A broadside shot could not be obtained, so the Boer fired 
at a spot between the eyes; the bullet struck high, as is usually the case when the range 
is short and the charge of powder is heavy, but the Lion fell over on its back, rising, 
however, immediately, and uttering a fierce roar. As it regained its feet, it showed its 
side to the Boer, who sent his second bullet into its shoulder. 
The Lion bounded off through the bush, much to the satisfaction of the Boer, who 
felt more calm as each snap of a branch showed that the animal was farther from him. 
The Boer immediately started off home, and brought his Hottentots and dogs to assist 
in the search after the wounded animal, which the Boer concluded would be found dead, 
as the second wound, he thought, must be a mortal one. 
Before sunset that evening, the skin of the Lion was pegged down outside the Boer’s 
house, and the Hottentots were drunk with delight at the success of ‘the master,” 
KOLBEN, a traveller who visited the Cape about the year 1705, described the appearance 
and character of the African Lion. He gives a rule by which all travellers may know to 
a certainty the state of mind in which Leeww may be. He, however, does not mention 
whether he actually tested the truth of his assertions, but merely states as follows :— 
“The Lions here are remarkable for their strength. When they come upon their prey 
they knock it down, and never bite till they have given the mortal blow, which is 
generally accompanied by a fearful roar. When the Lion is pinched with hunger, he 
shakes his mane and lashes his sides with his tail. When he is thus agitated it is almost 
certain death to come in his way, and as he generally lurks for his prey behind the bushes, 
travellers sometimes do not discover the motion of his tail till it is too late; but if a Lion 
shakes not his mane, nor lashes himself with his tail, a traveller may pass safely by him. 
If we could drive a bargain with the Felis Leo that he should always thus signal to 
travellers, we might pass through the African wilderness with less risk than at the 
present time. But from the experience gained by more modern hunters, it appears 
that the Lion will frequently attack horses, oxen, &c., without any intimation from mane 
or tail. 
The most formidable attacks are those which take place during a dark night, when it 
would be impossible to be prepared in consequence of not observing the shaking and 
lashing above referred to.” 
It has already been mentioned, that several naturalists accept the Lion of Western 
