LET SLEEPING DOGS (AND LIONS) LIE. 309 



Mr. Mackenzie told me an amusing story in reference 

 to an incident that lately occurred to Mr. Hepburn. He 

 and Mr. Mackenzie were both trecking from Kururnan 

 together, where they had been to attend the meeting of 

 members of various religious associations. Their cattle 

 had been without water for a couple of days when they 

 reached the Notawaney, the bed of which, to their 

 grief, they found perfectly dry. 



Water must, if possible, be obtained, so they separated, 

 the one going up the water- course, the other down, in 

 the hope of finding a pool. Mr. Hepburn unsuccessfully 

 had progressed about two miles when he spied some 

 bushmen's huts ; to them he directed his steps, in hope of 

 learning where the desired metsea (Bechuana for water) 

 could be obtained. On reaching these human habita- 

 tions, he could see no one, so stooping low down to enable 

 him to pass the diminutive doorway, he attempted to 

 enter the nearest building. When he had almost accom- 

 plished the performance, in fact, got half way in, what 

 was his surprise to observe, instead of human beings, a 

 mature male and female lion sound asleep ! Slowly 

 and silently he withdrew, and, as he was unarmed, made 

 a rapid retreat to the wagons. 



It was an awkward position to be placed in, and one 

 fchat required an unlimited amount of presence of mind. 

 Another excellent story was told me here. The persons 

 principally interested were some English gentlemen, 

 among whom was a Mr. Grlynn, the son of some city 

 magnate, and, as will be seen, possessed of more money 

 than pluck. 



While on the velt shooting antelope they met 

 another white hunter. As such meetings are very rare, 

 and, I may add, very enjoyable, an arrangement was 



