96 TUB LION. 



shelter of the intervening ground, they suddenly 

 tossed their heads, switched their tails, scraped 

 the earth impatiently with their hoofs, and sniffed 

 the air. I was puzzled how to account for this un- 

 usual agitation, as, from my position, I was certain 

 they could not have discovered me. But I had not 

 much time for conjecture ; for the next instant I 

 was startled by the growl of some animal close to 

 me. On looking in the direction whence it pro- 

 ceeded, I discovered, to my utter astonishment, two 

 lions and a lioness on the rising ground just above 

 me; and, as it seemed, they also were on the look- 

 out for the gnoos. I instinctively levelled my piece 

 at the head of the nearest of the beasts ; but a 

 moment's reflection convinced me that the odds 

 were too great, and I, therefore, thought it best 

 to reserve my fire, so as to be in readiness to receive 

 them, should they charge. After having regarded 

 me for a few seconds, however, they growlingly 

 disappeared behind a sandhill. 



" By this time, the gnoos had become aware of 

 the lions, and were making off at the top of their 

 speed. Being anxious to obtain a shot at them, 1 

 followed on their tracks ; but soon found, to my 

 dismay, that my three royal friends, with jaws dis_ 

 tended, and uttering furious growls, were following 

 a course parallel to mine. Though I must confess 

 I did not at all like their looks, as only excessive 

 hunger could have induced them, in broad day, to 

 seek for victims, I nevertheless continued to follow 

 the tracks of the antelopes until they led me into the 

 bush, where I presently lost them, as well as myself. 



