SPORT IN MOZAMBIQUE 



politeness at such a moment. A shot in the neck 

 brought down the animal. It could not have been 

 well, for it was unable to charge much. At this shot 

 a young lioness got up, but bounded away before we 

 could fire. 



On September 4th, returning to visit my traps, I 

 saw in the distance, a tawny animal going to drink 

 at the Sungwe. I also counted four others following 

 it. I took up my glasses ; they were three lionesses 

 and two lions. I went after them, calculating that 

 thirst would prevent their fleeing. I was wrong, for 

 they returned on their tracks, keeping some 200 

 yards ahead of me, trotting when I gained on them 

 and walking when they thought themselves safe. 

 A huge male, with a splendid black mane, brought up 

 the rear, stopping from time to time to look at me. 

 It must have just been gorging itself with meat, for 

 its body nearly touched the ground. I followed the 

 animals for over seven miles of open country without 

 gaining an inch of ground. The first copses of the 

 tendo were at least 500 yards away — should I let them 

 go ? No, I lay down, and when the old Hon, sur- 

 prised at not seeing me, stopped, I fired at his shoulder. 

 I was, however, so dazed by the strong sunlight that 

 I could not aim properly and the bullet only grazed 

 the top of its lungs. The animal staggered at the 

 impact of the shot, and with a roar bounded towards the 

 wood, which it gained. I fired twice more, but missed. 



I followed the beast with extreme precaution. 



(116) 



