A FIGHT WITH FIVE LIONS 299 



some three hundred yards away, spring from a 

 kneeling position, snatch from the ground beside 

 him a second rifle, and start toward me. We 

 ran for each other at the top of our speed, and 

 as we met father handed me a rifle, and I turned 

 back to make war upon my enemies. 



"At the sound of the shot the two lionesses 

 had left their kill and were slowly sauntering 

 off, stopping occasionally to look back at us. 

 The other, however, was still tearing away at 

 the dead bullock. We ran up to within a hun- 

 dred yards of her, and while I drew bead on 

 her father began shooting at the two farther 

 away. 



"My first shot went wild, but as the lioness 

 turned to run I caught her with my second bul- 

 let back of the shoulders but too high to be 

 fatal. Instantly she wheeled and came for us, 

 grunting and growling in a most awe-inspiring 

 manner. Father in the meantime had got in two 

 shots at his lionesses and had wounded one, but, 

 seeing my lioness charging, he also began shoot- 

 ing at her. The bullets seemed to have no effect 

 whatever, for although we could see that we 

 were hitting her, she never slackened her speed. 

 On she came until within about sixty yards, 



