130 Wild Beasts 



almost at the same instant I saw the three-quarters figure 

 of either a lion or a lioness within three yards of me, on 

 the other side of the bush under which I had been creep- 

 ing. The foliage concealed the head, but I could almost 

 have touched the shoulder with my rifle. Much depended 

 upon the bullet, and I fired exactly through the centre 

 of the shoulder. Another tremendous roar, and a crash 

 in the bushes, as the animal made a bound forward, was 

 followed by another roar and a second lion took the 

 exact position of the last, and stood wondering at the 

 report of the rifle, and seeking for the cause of this intru- 

 sion. This was a grand lion with a shaggy mane; but 

 I was unloaded. Keeping my eyes fixed upon the beast, 

 I stretched my hand back for a spare rifle ; the lion 

 remained standing, but gazing up wind with his head 

 raised, and snuffing in the air for the scent of an enemy. 

 " I looked back for an instant, and saw my Tokrooris 

 faltering about five yards behind me. I looked daggers 

 at them, gnashing my teeth, and shaking my fist. They 

 saw the lion, and Taber Noor, snatching a rifle from Hadji 

 Ali, was just about to bring it, when Hassan, ashamed, 

 ran forward the lion disappeared at the same moment. 

 Never was such a fine chance lost through the indeci- 

 sion of gun-bearers. . . . But where was the first lion ? 

 Some remains of the buffalo lay upon my right, and I 

 expected to find him most probably crouching in the 

 thorns near us. Having reloaded, I took my Reilly No. 

 10 rifle, and listened attentively for a sound. Presently 

 I heard within a low growl. Taber Noor drew his sword, 

 and with his shield before him searched for the lion, 



