CHAP. V. . LIONS. 285 



hour, answering each other ; and it shows how the animal 

 is dreaded, that the moment it is heard near camp there 

 is a dead silence, more wood is hastily heaped on the 

 fire, and all the natives uneasily shift their positions, and 

 take up their guns and spears. It can be heard for an 

 immense distance in the clear atmosphere of the tropics, 

 and I have frequently heard it plainly when it could not 

 have been less than two miles off. 



The most likely places in the bush country in which 

 to find lions, as far as my experience goes, are the ukaku 

 thorns, the dense evergreens which line the rivers, and, 

 during summer, the reeds on the margin of lagoons or 

 streams, while in the open flats any patch of reeds or tall 

 grass sufiices to conceal them. The best chances for 

 killing them are obtained in the first-mentioned spots, 

 as you often come across them asleep when you are 

 stealing about after game. It is better not to fire if 

 the brute's head is towards you, as, even if you shoot 

 it through the brain, its dying bound may land it on 

 the top of you ; but if you see one in that position, go 

 round, and try and get a shot at its back — they always 

 lie on their side — and then there is a good chance at the 

 head or breast, with a possibihty of breaking the back- 

 bone. Sometimes the bush is too thick for you to go 

 round, in that case hide and break a twig, or give a low 

 whistle, and it will get up uncertain what has disturbed 

 it, and give every opportunity for a steady shot. 



Sometimes one meets them in bad places, where it 

 would be very dangerous to fire if alone, and when, if 

 seen, it is best to stand one's ground, not attempting to 

 make any offensive movement, and not to kneel down, as 



