

RECKLESSNESS. 189 



and bushes, entangled in such a manner as to 

 almost shut out the light of day, and therefore pre- 

 venting your seeing the foe you were opposed to, 

 until it was within springing distance of you. How- 

 ever, a young Kaffir, a well-made, handsome fellow, 

 of about eighteen years of age, doubtless wishing to 

 show himself off before his chief, went to the front, 

 and, after exhorting his countrymen to follow him, 

 which they did not seem at all inclined to do, made 

 a further advance. Previously all had been still, if 

 we except the clamour made by the dogs ; but now 

 a roar, if not rivalling thunder, at all events a very 

 near approach to it, was heard, and with the sound 

 out bounded the lion, intent on striking down the 

 adventurous youth. I had looked at this lad's 

 exploit as a piece of bravado, and was thus scarcely 

 prepared for what took place ; but Chummy, ever 

 cautious and careful, had his reward for being so, 

 for he got a snap shot, which turned the foe and 

 caused him to again retreat into the security of his 

 sanctuary. Nothing afterwards would induce the 

 brute to come out, the result of which was that 

 recklessness and foolhardiness became the order of 

 the hour, which, if it had been persevered in, must 

 have resulted in some person being killed or severely 

 mauled. Former experience told me that such a 

 result could be anticipated, and all I said availed 

 nothing to prevent it. At length the chief and 

 Cigar backed me up, and those youngsters who 



