242 BIG GAME SHOOTING 



lion it saw me, and stood up with a growl broadside on, and I 

 sent a Paradox bullet clean through both shoulders, which 

 dropped it dead on the spot. It was a fine full-grown beast, with 

 first-rate teeth and claws, but was remarkably thin. As the 

 country for many miles round was absolutely devoid of game, 

 excepting a few Neotragus Kirkii, this lion had in all proba- 

 bility wandered about for several days without food, and was 

 goaded on by hunger to make the attack on the boy. On ex- 

 amination, I found my second shot with the Winchester had 

 only caught it in the hind foot as it leapt over the aloe 

 clump. The first shot which had gone through the aloe had 

 missed it clean, or had lost all power of penetration at all 

 events, there was no mark of a bullet about its face or 

 head. 



The other instance of men being attacked in open daylight 

 occurred near Machako's, in Ukambani, when a small caravan 

 of some twenty porters was attacked by a troop of twelve or 

 thirteen lions, which they came upon when on the march. 

 When the lions charged out of the grass the men dropped their 

 loads and bolted, though, after the men had fired about 150 

 rounds of ammunition at them from a respectful distance, the 

 lions retired. After waiting an hour or two, the men plucked 

 up courage and returned for their loads. My friend, Captain 

 J. W. Pringle, R.E., saw the loads when they were brought 

 into the station, and found that several of them had been 

 severely mauled by the lions. In this instance I am unable to 

 account for such an unprovoked attack, unless the lions, whilst 

 lying asleep in the grass close to the footpath, were taken by 

 surprise and charged in self-defence, it being very improbable 

 that they were prompted by hunger, as game was very plentiful 

 at the time. 



Only two cases of lions charging after being wounded and 

 followed up have come under my notice. The first happened 

 to Sir Robert Harvey when following up a wounded lioness. 

 This beast, which he failed to stop as it came at him, jumped 

 clean over him as he bobbed down to see the result of his shot 



