124 THE LION. 



which we had distinguished by the name of Douglas 

 Water. The dogs were barking round, but afraid 

 to approach him, for he was now beginning to 

 growl fiercely, and brandish his tail in a manner 

 that showed that he was meditating mischief. 

 Some of the Hottentots, by taking a circuit 

 between him and the mountain, crossed the stream 

 and stationed themselves on the top of a precipice 

 overhanging the spot where he stood at bay, whilst 

 others of them took up a position on the opposite 

 side of the glen, and whilst the poor fellow was 

 thus placed between two fires, which occupied his 

 attention and prevented his retreat, we kept battering 

 at him until he fell covered with wounds and glory." 



The Namaqua Hottentots who border on the 

 Cape Colony, and amongst whom there are many 

 half-breeds, when they hunt the lion are usually 

 on foot, and, as with the Boers, several in company. 

 But the cliaxxe with these men is, I am assured, 

 conducted in so extraordinary and cautious a 

 manner as to be utterly devoid of either danger 

 or excitement They never dream of firing until a 

 distant, safe, and convenient position has been 

 found, when they all sit down comfortably together, 

 so that the attack, or rather the defence, is only 

 made from one side. 



Though the colonists and their neighbours the 

 Xamaquas usually hunt the lion, as shown, in large 

 parties, and are thus enabled to oppose to the 

 beast a regular battery, yet at other times only a 

 single individual most commonly a foreigner who 

 has visited Africa for the sake of sport takes part 



