ix THE LION 179 



were always going off by accident. Upon several occasions these 

 unintentional explosions took place so close to my own head that 

 I suggested it would be safer should he adopt solitary rambles 

 instead of shooting in company. 



One night he killed an elephant while watching by moonlight 

 at a drinking-place. On the following morning he sent a trust- 

 worthy Tokroori native with an axe to cut out the tusks. The 

 man presently returned with the news that a large lion had eaten 

 a portion of the elephant, and was lying asleep close by, beneath 

 a tree. 



Florian immediately gave his man a single-barrelled rifle, and 

 taking a double smooth-bore himself, the two proceeded together 

 towards the spot. Upon arrival at the place where the body of 

 the elephant was lying, the lion was immediately discovered 

 beneath a leafless bush, where it had been seen by the Tokroori. 

 The animal appeared to be thoroughly gorged with elephant's flesh, 

 and, half asleep in the hot sun, it took very little notice of the 

 two men, but remained crouched upon the bare ground, neither 

 grass nor leaves at that dry season existing to form a cover for 

 retreat. 



Florian advanced boldly to within about 20 yards, the lion 

 merely regarding him with sleepy astonishment, until he took aim 

 and fired. He missed ! The lion instantly assumed an attitude 

 ready for a spring. Florian aimed between the eyes, and again 

 fired. He missed again ! The response was immediate : the lion 

 gave a roar, and bounded forward ; with a terrific blow upon the 

 head it felled the unfortunate Florian to the ground, and seized 

 him by the neck. Almost at the same moment the faithful 

 Tokroori rushed forward to assist his master, and, afraid to fire 

 lest he should hit him by mistake during the confusion of the 

 struggle, he actually pushed the muzzle of the rifle into the lion's 

 ear and pulled the trigger. The lion fell dead upon the lifeless 

 body of Florian. 



Dr. Ori, an Italian in the service of the Egyptian Government, 

 was at that time purchasing wild animals of the Hamran Arab 

 sword-hunters, and was in camp within a half-hour's march. The 

 Tokroori brought the tragic news, and a party started for the fatal 

 spot. Dr. Ori subsequently described to me the effect of the lion's 

 blow. The skull, which had received its full force, was completely 

 shattered, as if it had been a cocoa-nut struck with a hammer, and 

 several of the lion's claws had penetrated through the bone, as 

 though they had been driven like a nail. 



If that had been the attack of a tiger, the skull would not have 



