CHAP. V. LIONS. 249 



was still ringing in mj ears, when I heard a most ominous 

 growl, apparently proceeding from the dry stream-bed, 

 answered instantly by the majestic form of a male lion 

 rising from among the shorter grass on the opposite bank, 

 his mane erect and waving in the breeze, and his face 

 turned to me, while he showed his great teeth, and 

 growled savagely. 



The first thing was to reload, I had a muzzle-loader, 

 and while I was pouring the powder into the second barrel 

 I saw Umdumela's head reappear on the spot where he 

 had got down ; the lion, which had hitherto been only 

 uttering savage growls and menacing me by threatening 

 to charge, though without really altering its position, saw 

 him as soon as I did, and evidently looking upon him in 

 the light of a reinforcement, seemed determined to bring 

 matters to a conclusion before it could arrive, and at once 

 charged down to the edge of the bank, roaring terrifically, 

 as if to at once intimidate us and to encourage the lioness, 

 which, except by a low and unpleasant growling, had not 

 so far shown herself, though the trembling grass betrayed 

 where she lay, Umdumela walked steadily forward, and 

 I loaded as rapidly as possible, while the lion moved 

 backwards and forwards, uncertain whether to spring 

 down or not, still making as much noise as he could, 

 when, to my considerable astonishment, I heard the old 

 hunter, who was now within a few yards of me, address the 

 king of beasts in his own language as follows : " I say, what 

 do you want with us ? Hook it, clear out of this ; do 

 you really think that buffalo belongs to you ? You want 

 to bag the game we wound — eh ? What an absurd idea ! 

 I advise you not to question our right to the country ; 



