THE SETTIT RIVER 121 



frequently used by lions. I carried the little -350, and 

 the 470 was unloaded, as I had no real expectation 

 of meeting game that would require it; but on 

 reaching the turn down into a little side khor leading 

 to the meshra, I saw a lioness coming up this very 

 khor, not more than 30 yards away. Although she had 

 not seen me, there was obviously no time to lose, as 

 she was walking right on to us, and might see us at 

 any moment, so I knelt down and took a steady aim 

 at the point of her left shoulder with the little -350. 

 She dropped to the shot and rolled about, growling ; 

 but for obvious reasons I could not use my only 

 remaining barrel on her, and by the time I was re- 

 loaded, she was on her feet again, and with her left 

 foreleg dangling, charged right up the bank on the 

 opposite side of the khor, on one bank of which I was 

 standing, and disappeared in the bushes, whence 

 some growls and sighs issued, followed by silence. I 

 looked round for my big 470, and found A., my gun- 

 bearer, convulsed with laughter at a spectacle which 

 I confess had not appealed to the humorous side of 

 my nature. I took the 470 out of its cover, loaded it, 

 and changed it for the -350, which I gave to A., and 

 we took up a position on the steep side of the khor, 

 up which the lioness had disappeared. After a few 

 minutes we threw a stone or two, but there was no 

 response. We then went down the khor, and added 

 M. with the -500 Express to our forces. We then 



