1 84 CARNIVORA. 



second bullet into its shoulder. The lion bounded off through the 

 bush, and the Dutchman went home and sent his servants and dogs to 

 look for the wounded animal, which he concluded would be found dead. 

 Before sunset the hide of the lion was pegged down outside the Boer's 

 house." 



It is amusing to contrast this plain narrative, and the Dutchman s 

 prudence in retiring from the field when he knew his enemy was mortally 

 wounded, with the highly-spiced relation of Jules Gerard, who winds up 

 with a hand-to-hand combat. 



" The wood, in the middle of which I found myself, was so dense that 

 it was impossible to see for more than eighteen or twenty feet around. 

 I had taken the precaution to assure myself, by the spoor, of the direction 

 the lion had taken when retiring, so as to face that point. Afterward I 

 relieved myself of my turban, the better to hear the slightest noise. At 

 sunset all the animal life in my vicinity was on the move, so that I was 

 often falsely alarmed — at one time by a lynx, at another by a jackal, and 

 sometimes by creatures of less importance. For each alarm I experi- 

 enced as many fancies ; and I may truly say that, in the space of half an 

 hour, I felt as many as would satisfy the most fastidious adventure- 

 hunter. Toward eight o'clock in the evening, at the moment when the 

 new moon half lighted up the edges of the black scud overhead, I heard 

 a branch snap. This time there could be no mistake ; only the weight 

 of a large animal could make such a noise. Shortly after, a hollow, sup- 

 pressed roar re-echoed through the forest. Then I could distinguish a 

 slow heavy tread. With ni}' rifle to my shoulder, elbow on knee, and 

 finger on trigger, I waited the moment when his head would appear. 

 But I could not perceive the foe until he had reached the bull, on which 

 he began to ply his enormous tongue. I aimed at his forehead and fired. 

 The lion fell roaring, then sprang up on his hind-legs, as a horse when 

 rearing. I had also risen, and taking a step to the front fired a second 

 shot at close quarters. This brought him head over heels, as if struck 

 by a thunderbolt. T then withdrew in order to reload ; which having 

 done, and seeing that the animal still moved, I advanced on him, dagger 

 in hand. Certain of the spot where his heart was situated, I raised my 

 hand and struck. But at the same moment the fore-arm of the tawny 

 savage made a backward movement, and the blade of my dagger broke 

 in his side. My presence had renewed his vitality. He raised his enor- 

 mous head. I retired two paces, and administered a final shot. Mv first 



