284 Ikfngs ot tfoe 1Rofc, IRifle, anfc (Bun 



required, instead of going at the lion, rushed fiercely on 

 one another, and fought desperately for some minutes. 

 After this they got his wind, and, going at him, disclosed 

 his position : they kept up a continued barking until the 

 day dawned, the lion occasionally springing after them, 

 and driving them in upon the kraal. The horrible 

 monster lay all night within forty yards of us, consuming 

 the wretched man whom he had chosen for his prey. 

 He had dragged him into a little hollow at the back of 

 the thick bush beside which the fire was kindled, and 

 there he remained till the day dawned, careless of our 

 proximity. 



It appeared that when the unfortunate Hendrick 

 rose to drive in the ox, the lion had watched him to his 

 fireside, and he had scarcely lain down when the brute 

 sprang upon him and Ruyter (for both lay under one 

 blanket) with his appalling murderous roar, and, roaring 

 as he lay, grappled him with his fearful claws, and kept 

 biting him on the breast and shoulder, all the while 

 feeling for his neck ; having got hold of which he at 

 once dragged him away backwards round the bush into 

 the dense shade. 



As the lion lay upon the unfortunate man he faintly 

 cried, ' Help me, help me ! Oh, God ! men, help me ! ' 

 After which the fearful beast got a hold on his neck, and 

 then all was still, except that his comrades heard the 

 bones of his neck cracking between the teeth of the 

 lion. John Stofolus had lain with his back to the 

 fire on the opposite side, and on hearing the lion 

 he sprang up, and seizing a large flaming brand, he 

 belaboured him on the head with the burning wood ; 



