THE FIRST LIONESS. 173 



I attempted to throw in another cartridge, but 

 because of my desire to work the bolt quietly, in 

 order not to attract the lioness's attention, I did 

 not pull it back far enough, and the cartridge 

 jammed in the magazine. As evidence of Memba 

 Sasa's coolness and efficiency, it is to be written 

 that he became aware of this as soon as I did. 

 He thrust the *405 across my right side, at the 

 same time withdrawing the Springfield on the 

 left. The motion was slight, but the lioness 

 caught it. Immediately she dropped her head 

 and charged. 



For the next few moments, naturally, I was 

 pretty intent on lions. Nevertheless a corner of 

 my mind was aware of Memba Sasa methodically 

 picking away at the jammed rifle, and paying no 

 attention whatever to the beast. Also I heard 

 Hill making picturesque remarks about his gun- 

 bearer, who had bolted with his second gun. 



The lioness charged very fast, but very straight, 

 about in the tearing, scrambling manner of a 

 terrier after a thrown ball. I got in the first 

 shot as she came, the bullet ranging back from the 

 shoulder, and Hill followed it immediately with 

 another from his *404 Jeffrey. She growled at the 

 bullets, and checked very slightly as they hit, 

 but gave no other sign. Then our second shots 



