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CHAPTER VIII. 



LION-HUNTING IN SOUTH AFRICA CHASE BY THE COLONISTS 

 THE LION'S LAIR THOMPSON'S DESCRIPTION OF A HUNT A 

 MAGNANIMOUS LION NAMAQUA MODE OF HUNTING NARROW 

 ESCAPE OF MR. ORWELL A FIELD-OFFICER IN DANGER 

 SALT-PANS A SPORTSMAN'S FIRST ENCOUNTER WITH THE 

 MONARCH OF THE FOREST LIONS AND DOGS. 



A WORD now as to the manner in which the 

 lion is killed in South Africa. Speaking 

 generally, however, the value of the beast's skin is so 

 trivial, and the danger of attacking him far from 

 slight, that unless he be a notorious " man-cater," 

 or has committed depredations amongst the cattle, 

 he is, comparatively speaking, but little sought after 

 either by the Boers or natives. 



With the colonists, the chaste of the lion is con- 

 ducted both on foot and on horseback ; and the 

 latter, being considered the safer and better plan, is, 

 for the most part, adopted. But whether mounted 

 or not, the hunters are almost always accompanied 

 by a number of dogs, who not only materially aid 

 in discovering the retreat of the beast, but by per- 

 severingly attacking him, tend, in great measure, 

 to draw off his attention from the men. 



Several individuals usually take part in the hunt. 



