286 LARGE GAME. chap. v. 



for some reason, probably because they themselves always 

 crouch preparatory to making an attack, lions will rarely 

 stand this if in anything of an ugly temper. When you 

 do fire, try for the shoulder, or, if a very crack shot, and 

 not at all nervous, the brain ; in the latter case, do not 

 aim too high, as the forehead is perfectly flat, and a ball 

 is very apt to glance ; in the former, in dealing with a 

 male, take care that the floating mane which conceals the 

 shoulder does not also cause you to aim too high, as when 

 the brute is angry and bristles up, it makes it seem a far 

 larger mark than it really is. 



It should always be recollected, before meddling with 

 lions, that if you do come to close quarters with them death 

 is the probable result. There are cases within my own 

 knowledge where, single-handed, and armed only with 

 a spear, a native has succeeded in killing one that has 

 sprung upon him, without receiving in return anything 

 but trifling injuries ; but these are only exceptions that 

 prove the rule that where they strike they kill. Unlike 

 other large game, they divide their attentions equally, 

 springing from one to another, and fighting with tooth 

 and claw in the most wonderful manner. It is a grand 

 sight to see one charge a native regiment sent out after 

 it, as they sometimes are, springing over the heads of 

 the first line right into the centre, flying about, knocking 

 men down with every blow, until, a complete sieve of 

 assagai- wounds, it dies fighting. 



Few hints can be given that can be of any service 

 when the lion is once fairly charging and your gun is 

 empty. When you have to take refuge in a tree, go up 

 it as far as you can, — for if none of its bones are broken 



