94 THE LION OP SOUTH AFRICA. 



blazed away at the lions. One lion fell dead almost 

 on the buffalo ; he had merely time to turn towards us, 

 seize a bush with his teeth, and drop dead with the 

 stick in his jaws. The second made oif immediately; 

 and the third raised his head, coolly looked round for 

 a moment, then went on tearing and biting at the 

 carcase as hard as ever. We retired a short distance 

 to load, then again advanced and fired : the lion made 

 oif, but a ball that he received ought to have stopped 

 him, as it went clean through his shoulder-blade. He 

 was followed up and killed, after having charged several 

 times. " 



The colonists generally hunt the lion on horseback. 

 But they only hazard themselves on the plain. They 

 go two or three together, in order to help each other in 

 case of need, and if the game holds to any cover they 

 send dogs in to induce it to show itself. 



The attitude of the lion is very different according 

 as he sees the hunters are near or at a distance. In 

 the first case he flies with all his speed ; in the other 

 he moves to and fro with a fierce air, but without 

 permitting himself to seem in the least trouble. When 

 sharply pursued he soon slackens his pace, and at 

 length stops, faces his enemies, shakes himself, and 

 utters a short roar. This is the moment for action. 

 The nearest hunter fires, and if he has missed his 

 mark, or only wounded the lion, he gallops off; then 



