120 BIG GAME SHOOTING 



speed. I pulled up, as I could see well around, intending 

 to load the barrel I had fired, and bring my friend to account ; 

 but my foot was not out of the stirrup before he was again 

 on me. I was alone, and the horse was so scared I could 

 hardly hold him ; but, freeing my foot, I caught the reins over 

 my left arm, faced the oncomer, and threw the gun up to 

 fire ; just as I covered him, and my finger began to press 

 the trigger, I was violently pulled back, and my arm jerked 

 up. The lion still came slowly on, with his body sunk between 

 his shoulders, and his brisket nearly touching the ground- 

 When within twelve yards, I shouted at him, instinctively, 

 hoping to stop him. The human voice acted like a charm ; 

 he stood, and made as if he would turn away. The horse, 

 seeing that he no longer advanced, left off tugging at the 

 rein, and I snatched the opportunity and fired my remaining 

 barrel. The bullet struck the point of the shoulder, and 

 rolled him off the little rocky plateau into the bush below, 

 where he lay roaring, without my being able to get sight of 

 him. I went forwards to look for and settle him, but had to 

 give it up, for my horse, which I had tied to a tree, did not 

 at all approve of being left alone, and tried to break his 

 riem. I coaxed him, and as long as I stood by him he was 

 quiet, but directly I turned to leave terror seized him. I could 

 not afford to lose him, so I mounted, and attempted to ride him 

 near enough to get a sight and shot ; but the tremendous noise 

 was too much for him, and neither spur nor hand had any 

 effect. He stood up on his hind legs, and broke into a white 

 lather of sweat. I persevered for a time, but had to give it up, 

 and, breaking a few twigs and leaves from the trees to make 

 myself a kind of substitute for my lost hat, got back to camp. 

 Next morning, after putting the waggons on the path I 

 had looked out the day before, Murray, I, two Kafirs, and 

 three dogs l went on ahead to pick up the lion. We had just 



1 I have said but little of our dogs, but they deserve mention. I never 

 shot with them ; but besides guarding the camp from surprise, they were in- 

 valuable, as in this instance, in helping us to pick up a wounded lion, or in 



