84 THE LION OF SOUTH AFKICA. 



Another night passed away. The man, when he 

 recounted this scene, said that he was ignorant as to 

 whether he had slept or not ; but that if he had slept it 

 must have been with his eyes open, for he had never 

 for one moment ceased to see the lion at his feet. 



In the afternoon of the following day the lion 

 returned to drink at the spring ; and there, having 

 heard some noise which frightened him, he disappeared 

 in the wood. 



The man went for his gun ; but when he stooped to 

 pick it up, his ankles refused to sustain him, and he fell 

 down. With his gun in his hand he dragged himself 

 to the spring; his great toes were shrivelled, and the 

 soles of his feet scorched. 



He waited a short time for the return of the lion, 

 resolved to shoot him through the head, but the 

 animal did not come back; and "fastening his gun 

 behind him, he crawled as well as he could on his 

 hands and knees into a neighbouring path, happily 

 just as a friend was passing, who carried him into a 

 safe place, and bestowed on him all the care which his 

 state required; but he lost his toes, and remained a 

 cripple for the rest of his life. 



An old Hottentot returning to his home perceived a 

 lion that he thought was following him : at the end of 

 an hour or so he no longer doubted it the lion was 

 following. He naturally thought that the animal was 



