I io DAYS AND NIGHTS BY THE DESERT. 



When I made short marches, changing camp 

 from one position to another, distant perhaps three 

 or four miles, if the route lay through an open 

 country, I on several occasions allowed the lions to 

 go loose. They never at such times evinced the 

 slightest disposition to stray, but followed imme- 

 diately behind the dogs, who, in turn, followed the 

 horses, and these I kept invariably close up to the 

 rearmost waggon. Now, the dogs would frequently 

 walk abreast of each other at least, as many of 

 them as the breadth of the track would permit ; but 

 the lions never would, the female always going first, 

 and the male following close behind, placing his feet 

 almost exactly in the spoor of his sister. This is 

 evidently a teaching of Nature, for it is invariably 

 adopted by the mature beasts of this race, and 

 why ? to disguise their number, I think, and make 

 the least possible noise in passing through cover. 



To further elucidate this matter, one day when I 

 was idle I coupled them both together, after the 

 manner of setters or pointers, and soon I had reason 

 to regret what I had done, for the brother and sister, 

 who never seemed to have aught but the deepest 

 love for each other, commenced such a desperate 

 battle that it required all our combined efforts to get 

 them separated. I was truly grieved for this misad- 

 venture, for many days elapsed before they mutually 

 appeared restored to their former affection. 



The female, I noted, harboured vindictive 



