100 THE LOG OF A TIMBER CEUISEE 



for my self-control it was but a few seconds before 

 the lioness, who had been creeping nearer, stopped, 

 lowered her head, and with a snarl sprang up and 

 forward. As she rose I shoved the pistol in her face 

 and pulled the trigger. A welcome report followed 

 and as her body struck me and we came to the ground 

 together I remember thinking mirthlessly: 



"Well, if I missed that chance I deserve what's 

 coming. " 



I arose at once, hastily, still grasping my pistol, 

 but the lioness remained where she had fallen. My 

 one lucky shot, entering the mouth, had blown the 

 top of her head off. I examined the magazine of 

 my revolver and found that it was empty. Then I 

 began to be really frightened. 



When, upon returning to camp, I related the ex- 

 perience to the others, Bert at once asserted that 

 there must have been kittens in the cave I had at- 

 tempted to enter. 



"A lion'd never stand up to you," he said, "un- 

 lessn'n she'd got young uns. I'm goin' down to- 

 morrow and get them." 



He was as good as his word, returning next eve- 

 ning with two small, fluffy, tawny creatures and the 

 skin of the old one, of little value at this time of year. 

 The kittens were kept for a short time, but they be- 

 came troublesome before long and we killed them. 



As for myself, I took good care after this to keep 

 my gun full of cartridges and an extra loaded mag- 

 azine in my pocket. 



