346 -fcinas of tbe IRofc, TCtfle, aito 6un 



had reloaded, and when we were in sight of the buffalo, 

 and gaining on him at every stride, three lions leapt on 

 the unfortunate brute ; he bellowed most lustily as he 

 kept up a kind of running fight ; but he was, of course, 

 soon overpowered and pulled down. We had a fine 

 view of the struggle, and saw the lions on their hind 

 legs, tearing away with teeth and claws in the most 

 ferocious style. We crept up within thirty yards of the 

 lions, and, kneeling down, blazed away. My rifle was 

 a single barrel, and I had no spare gun. One lion fell 

 dead almost on the buffalo ; he had merely time to turn 

 towards us, seize a bush with his teeth, and drop dead 

 with the stick in his jaws. The second made off imme- 

 diately ; and the third raised his head, coolly looked 

 round for a moment, then went on tearing and biting at 

 the carcase as hard as ever. We retired a short distance 

 to load, then again advanced and fired. The lion went 

 off, but a ball that he received ought to have stopped 

 him, as it went clean through his shoulder blade. He 

 was followed up and killed, after having charged several 

 times. Both lions were males. It is not often that one 

 bags a brace of lions and a bull buffalo in about ten 

 minutes. It was an exciting adventure, and I shall 

 never forget it.' 



Such, my dear Livingstone, is the plain unvarnished 

 account. The buffalo had of course gone close to where 

 the lions were lying down for the day ; and they, seeing 

 him lame and bleeding, thought the opportunity too 

 good a one to be lost. 



Ever yours, 



FRANK VARDON." 



