ABSTRACTION 1 OK CUBS. 47 



has a young family. " He then knows no fear," 

 writes Gordon Gumming, " and will face a thousand 

 men. A remarkable instance of this kind came 

 under my own observation, which confirmed the 

 reports 1 had before heard from the natives. One 

 day, when out elephant-hunting in the territory of 

 the ' Baseleka,' accompanied by 250 men, I was 

 astonished suddenly to behold a majestic lion slowly 

 and steadily advancing towards us with a dignified 

 step and undaunted bearing, the most noble and 

 imposing that can be conceived. Lashing his tail 

 from side to side, and growling haughtily, his ter- 

 ribly expressive eye resolutely fixed upon us, and 

 displaying a show of ivory well calculated to inspire 

 terror amongst the timid ' Becuanas,' he approached. 

 A headlong flight of the 200 men \vas the imme- 

 diate result ; and, in the confusion of the moment, 

 four couple of my dogs, which they had been lead- 

 ing, were allowed to escape in their couples. These 

 instantly faced the lion, who, finding that by his 

 bold bearing he had succeeded in putting his 

 enemies to flight, now became anxious for the safely 

 of his little family, with which the lioness was re- 

 treating iu the background. Facing about, he fol- 

 lowed alter them with a haughty and independent 

 step, growling fiercely at the dogs which trotted 

 along on either side of him." 



In Southern Africa, the cubs, when of a tender 

 age, are not un frequently abstracted 1 rom the den 

 during the absence of the mother; but the act is 

 accompanied witli much danger; for, should the 

 lioness return whilst the man is in the ac; ot de- 



