

THE BOER LADY AGAIN. 191 



over the top of the rock. Every eye as well as 

 mine noted it, and the row was renewed with 

 additional vigour. Soon after we saw him approach 

 the edge of the giant stone, and peer into the abyss 

 beneath ; for a few minutes he paused, then drew 

 his rifle, which had been by his side, forward, and 

 gradually putting it over the edge of the declivity, 

 took a long steady aim and fired. The response 

 was a roar, followed by several choking, guttural 

 sobs ; and all was silent. Any attempt to preserve 

 order was useless ; every native rushed in, assegai in 

 hand. But weapons were now uncalled for, as the 

 aged hero, who had so long despoiled their village of 

 its calves and goats, lay upon his back with his feet 

 in the air dead. 



Although old and showing the signs of age 

 perceptibly in his teeth, this lion was a splendid 

 specimen. When pegged out, without undue 

 stretching, the hide, from muzzle to tip of tail, 

 measured 10 ft. n in. This animal was stated by 

 the natives to be over twenty years of age ; further, 

 that he had been only lately driven out from the 

 coterie of his family associates, and that it was since 

 then he had taken to killing their flocks and similar 

 evil courses. 



On returning to the station, I found the Dutch- 

 man with his waggon there, the man whose wife I 

 had lately been called upon to attend in reference to 

 her wounded knee. The lady was much better, 



