SALT-PANS. 129 



In certain parts of Southern Africa, the face of 

 the country is studded with pit-like hollows, or 

 basins, called, " salt-pans." Though many of 

 these are of limited extent, others, again, occupy 

 a vast extent of ground.* Some are covered 

 with a saline incrustation (hence their desig- 

 nation), whilst others, from the moisture of the 

 soil for in the rainy season they are flooded 

 are luxuriantly overgrown with rank grass, reeds, 

 &c. These " salt-pans," provided there be game 

 in the vicinity for them to prey on, are often the 

 resorts and strongholds of lions. Hero they breed 

 and rear their young, and if left undisturbed, not 

 only multiply greatly, but become much attached 

 to their wild home, from which, at times, there is 

 great difficulty in dislodging them. 



It was from one of these, their fortresses, that- 

 the field-officer, spoken of a few pages back, dis- 

 lodged on one occasion, by the aid of a number of 

 natives, the discharge of fire-arms, shouting, and 

 the burning of the reeds, no fewer than thirteen 

 lions, causing them to take refuge in the country 

 beyond, which was pretty open, and here, single 

 handed, when mounted, he shot six, that were 

 full grown. The cubs, he, like a true sportsman, 

 would not condescend to molest in any way. 



Gordon Gumming, as is known, also killed num- 

 bers of lions single-handed, so to say. He thus 

 describes his first encounter with the king, or rather 

 queen, of beasts : 



* The Xwclvi, situated to the eastward of Lake Ntrami, in said 

 to be a huudred miles long with an average breadth oHitiecu miles. 



Jv 



