* More Lion-Hunting Experiences 



nettles and tall dry grass, and exclaimed in low tones : 

 " Lungatun ' 1 snatched my rifle out of the hands of my 

 bearer, realising- suddenly as I did so that it was not loaded 

 with the proper cartridges, as I had no intention of doing 

 any shooting that day. 



However, there was no room for delay. The negro 

 and I rushed to the spot where the lions had disappeared. 

 With frightened face the Xdorobo pointed to where he 

 had seen them. All this happened so quickly that there 

 was no time to think ot changing cartridges ; all I could 

 hope for was a snapshot at long range. 



In front of us to the left rose some rocky hills. In 

 between was a thicket of impenetrable thorn-bushes and 

 bowstring hemp. Making my way breathlessly up the 

 rocks, I suddenly saw in front ot me, barely hfteen 

 paces away, a large lioness standing broadside to me, her 

 expressive head turned in my direction, and her glittering 

 eyes fixed upon me. She was a magnificent sight. 



Instinctively, and as quick as lightning, my eye darted 

 in every direction all round her, to see if there were any 

 other lions by, then in the fraction of a second I pointed 

 my rifle at her head ; but before I could pull the trigger 

 she made an immense spring forward, high in the air 

 with outstretched paws, and disappeared into the thicket. 

 Pull the trigger, however, I did, and the report rang out 

 while she was in the air. 



It was an exciting moment for me, for it was probable 

 that the animal, unless mortally wounded, would come for 

 me. Only with lead-tipped bullets can you hope to effect 

 a mortal wound under such conditions ? Wounded lions 



385 



