ENCOUNTERS WITH LIONS. 199 



taking up his gun, Piet stole softly to the door, ex- 

 pecting to meet with a hvsena. as he knew that one 



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of these beasts was in the habit of harassing the goat- 

 kids, which, for better security, he had " kraaled" 

 against the wall of the house. His amazement, 

 however, was great, when, instead of a hyaena, a 

 lion stood before him. Without losing his presence 

 of mind, he poked the muzzle of his piece against 

 the animal's head and blew out its brains. 



Again : Riding along one morning in a very weak 

 state, having just recovered from a severe fever, a 

 lion suddenly rushed at him. The ox became 

 frightened, and threw the old man. One of his 

 feet was caught in the stirrup, but, fortunately, 

 the " veld " shoe slipped off. " I know," said the 

 veteran hunter, "I was thrown, and that I got 

 on my legs again, but in what manner is quite a 

 mystery to me to this day. I called, as loud as 

 my feeble voice permitted, to my people to bring a 

 gun, the lion always getting nearer and nearer, 

 until he stood within arm's length. I once or twice 

 tried to pull out my pistol, or my sword-knife, 

 which, as you know, I usually carry about me, but 

 in my anxiety I missed them. My jacket was 

 lying just in front of me on the ground, but the 

 brute had one of his paws on it. 1 felt desperate, 

 however, and, pulling it forcibly away, struck the 

 lion on the head, when he grinm-d and growled ter- 

 ribly, and I expected every moment he would tear 

 me to pieces. At this juncture my Damara, who 

 fortunately had heard my cries of distress, came 

 running up with my gun. Taking the piece from 



