130 TOE LION. 



" Suddenly I observed a number of vultures 

 seated on the plain, about a quarter of a mile ahead 

 of us, and close beside them stood a huge lioness, 

 consuming a blesblok which she had killed. She 

 was assisted in her repast by about a dozen jackals, 

 which were feasting along with her in the most 

 friendly and confidential manner. Directing my 

 followers' attention to the spot, I remarked, ' I see 

 the lion;' to which they replied, ' Whar ? whar ? 

 Yah, Almaytig ; dat is he;' and instantly reining 

 in their steeds, and wheeling about, they pressed 

 their heels to their horses' sides, and were pre- 

 paring to betake themselves to flight. I asked 

 them what they were going to do? To which thev 



a/ O O / 



answered, ' We have not yet placed caps on our 

 rifles.' This was true ; but while this short con- 

 versation was passing, the lioness had observed us. 

 Raising her full, round face, she overhauled us for 

 a lew seconds, and then set off at a smart canter 

 towards a range of mountains some miles to the 

 northward ; the whole troop of jackals also started 

 off in another direction ; there was, therefore, no 

 time to think of caps. The first move was to brin^ 

 her to bay, and not a second was to be lost. Spur- 

 ring my good and lively steed, and shouting to my 

 men to follow, I flew across the plain, and, beiii"- 

 fortunately mounted on Colesberg, the flower of my 

 stud, I gained upon her at every stride. This was 

 to me a joyful moment, and I at once made up my 

 mind that she or I must die. 



"The lioness having had a long start of me, we 

 went over a considerable extent of ground before I 



