A Lion-Hunt 



in readiness a '450 double-barrelled rifle, and my two other 

 Askaris, " Baruti bin Ans " and " Ramadan," one of whom 

 carried a 12-bore fowling-piece loaded with slug, for 

 a final shot at close quarters, I could restrain myself no 

 longer, and, against the wishes of my followers, I sent 

 a bullet after the slowly receding lion, which only grazed 

 him. 



It was with difficulty now that I controlled my excite- 

 ment. I loaded again, however, and got in another shot 

 at the lion, which was now moving to one side. This 

 shot also was not well aimed, hitting high up on one of 

 his hind-paws. At once the lion turned round as quick 

 as lightning, but did not yet attack me. Instead, roaring 

 terribly, he whirled himself round ten or a dozen times, 

 biting in mad fury at his damaged paw. He reminded 

 me exactly of a plucky fox or jackal, badly wounded. 

 This exhibition, however, afforded me the best of 

 opportunities for further shots. I fired three times, two 

 of my shots doing good execution. Soon he collapsed 

 completely. When we came up to him, approaching with 

 all the caution due in the case of such an animal, he was. 

 already dead. 



The lioness meanwhile had taken to flight. 



Our joy was without bounds. Corporal Ellis, who 

 had come; up to within about 200 paces of us while 

 I was firing my last three shots, and had been a witness 

 of the entire scene, congratulated me heartily, adding 

 that he had not expected to see such marksmanship. 

 I must admit he was right about the number ot lions 

 which infested that neighbourhood, and also that it was. 



365 



