62 THE LION. 



first let go, the stupid brutes, as clogs often prove 

 when most required, instead of going at the lion, 

 rushed fiercely on one another, and fought des- 

 perately for several minutes ; after this they got his 

 wind, and, going at him, disclosed to us his posi- 

 tion. 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 

 until the day dawned, careless of our proximity. 



"It appeared that when the unfortunate Hen d rich 

 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 Kuyter (for both lay 

 under one blanklet) 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 back- 

 wards, round the bush into the dense shade. 



"As the lion lay upon the unfortunate man, lie 

 faintly cried, 'Help me, help me! O (Jod! men, 

 help me !' After which the fearful beast got a hold 

 of his neck, and then all was still, except that his 

 comrades heard the bones of the neck crashing 

 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 



