GO 



T1JE LION. 



seized my gun, but as it was too dark to see any object 

 at half the distance., I aimed at the spot where the 

 devouring jaws of the lion were heard. I fired again 

 and again, to which he replied with tremendous 

 roars, at the same time making a rush towards the 

 "waggons, so as exceedingly to terrify the oxen. 

 The two Barolongs engaged to take fire-brands, 

 advanced a few yards, and threw them at him so as to 

 afford me a degree of light that I might take aim, 

 the place being bushy. They had scarcely dis- 

 charged them from their hands when the flame 

 went out, and the enraged animal rushed towards 

 them with such swiftness that I had barely time to 

 turn the gun and fire between the men and the 

 lion, and providentially the ball struck the ground 

 immediately under his head, as we found by examina- 

 tion the following morning. From this surprise 

 he returned, growling fearfully. The men darted 

 through some thorn-bushes, with countenances 

 indicative of the utmost terror. It was now the 

 opinion of all that we had better let him alone if he 

 did not molest us. 



" Having but a scanty supply of wood to keep up 

 a fire, one man crept among the bushes on one side 

 of the pool, while I proceeded for the same purpose 

 on the other side. L had not gone far when, look- 

 ing upwards to the edge of the small basin, I dis- 

 cerned between me and the sky four animals, 

 whose attention appeared to be directed to me by 

 the noise I made in breaking a dry stick. On closer 

 inspection, I found that the large, round, hairy- 

 headed visitors were lions and retreated on my 



