ix THE LION 191 



In southern Africa a night attack by lions upon the oxen 

 belonging to the waggons is by no means uncommon, in books 

 published concerning expeditions to that country, but in nine years' 

 experience of camp life in Africa, both equatorial and to 14 

 north of the equator, I have never even heard of any actual 

 depredation committed by lions upon a camp or upon a night's 

 bivouac ; the nearest approach was the threatening nocturnal 

 visit already described, where no actual damage was inflicted. 



There is an instinct natural to all animals which gives them 

 due warning whether man approaches them with hostile intent, 

 and there can be no doubt that every wild animal possesses this 

 discriminating power, and would be influenced according to circum- 

 stances. My own experience has led me to an opinion that the 

 lion is not so dangerous as the tiger, although, if wounded and 

 followed up, there cannot be a more formidable antagonist. 



Upon several occasions I have seen lions close to me when I 

 have had no opportunity of shooting, and they have invariably 

 passed on without the slightest signs of angry feeling. I was 

 riding along a very desolate path, and a lioness, followed by five 

 nearly full-grown young ones, walked quietly from the jungle, and 

 they crossed within a few yards of my horse's head, apparently 

 without fear or evil disposition. I well remember, at the close of a 

 long march we halted beneath a large tree, which I considered would 

 form an agreeable shade for our tent. I gave my rifle to a servant, 

 who deposited it against the tree, preparatory to my dismounting, 

 when a lioness emerged from the bushes, and walked unconcernedly 

 through our party, within only a few feet of the startled horses. 

 She disappeared without having condescended to increase her pace. 



Upon another occasion I had fired the grass, which had left a 

 perfectly clean surface after the blaze. The night was bright 

 moonlight, and I was standing in front of the tent door, when a 

 large maned lion and a lioness crossed the open space within 10 or 

 12 yards of my position, and stood for a few moments regarding 

 the white tent ; they passed slowly forward, but had disappeared 

 before I had time to return with a rifle. 



I once saw a wounded lion decline a challenge from a single 

 hunter. It is possible that a tiger might have behaved in the 

 same manner, but it would be dangerous to allow the opportunity. 

 I had taken a stroll in the hope of obtaining a shot at large ante- 

 lopes, to procure flesh for camp, and I was attended by only one 

 Arab, a Hamran hunter armed with his customary sword and 

 shield. Having a peculiar confidence in the accuracy of a two- 

 grooved single rifle of small bore, I took no other, and we walked 



