THE SENTINEL. 91 



and without being able to revenge itself on the 

 crafty adversary, was forced to beat a retreat." 



A notion prevails in South Africa that, when several 

 lions are in company, and they are chased, one of the 

 number (the duty being taken in turn) acts as senti- 

 nel, and watches the movements of the pursuers. 



Something of this kind once came under my own 

 observation; but I speak guardedly, because the 

 peculiar manner in which the beasts conducted them- 

 selves, on the occasion I am about to relate, might 

 not impossibly have arisen rather from parental 

 affection than any other cause. The circumstances 

 were these : 



One day, when quite alone and on foot, I was 

 " stalking " a herd of pullahs, on the banks of the 

 river Tioge. Suddenly I found myself in the midst 

 of a troop of lions a family party, consisting of 

 father and mother and two or three well-grown 

 cubs. All of them, old as well as young, had a 

 distinct greyish-white ring round the neck; they 

 were, as I believe, identical with the " blue necks " 

 of the Boers, mentioned in Chapter I., page o, which 

 are described as being of a very savage disposition. 

 On seeing me, they all hastily retreated. The 

 beasts had, however, so novel and peculiar a look 

 about them, that, although the danger of following 

 them up in so dense a brake as I was then in, was 

 considerable, 1 determined on doing so. \\ hilst 

 thus occupied, I several times sighted either the 1 old 

 lions or the lioness, who evidently kept well in the 

 rear of the cubs for their better protection, and who 

 presently greeted me with an angry growl. Hut 



