98 THE LION OF SOUTH AFRICA. 



the strongest, and should not be long in gaining the 

 victory. 



"When we were all at our posts, oxen were driven in 

 advance, and by dint of shouting and lashing we forced 

 them into the thicket. At the same time my dogs 

 began to bark; and in order to frighten the lions 

 and compel them to come out, pistols were frequently 

 discharged. The oxen, on scenting the enemy, fell 

 back in terror, and rushed towards us ; but, driven back 

 by our clamouring, by the barking of the dogs, and 

 the noise of our arms, they became furious, striking 

 against each other and bellowing in a fearful manner. 

 The lions, on their part, were now growing angry, and 

 exhibited their rage by horrible roars. We heard them 

 successively in all parts of the thicket, without their 

 daring to show themselves anywhere. The collision of 

 two opposing armies is not more clamorous than were 

 their defiant roarings, confounded as they were with the 

 animated shouts of the men, the noise of the dogs, and 

 the furious bellowing of the oxen. This frightful concert 

 lasted a good part of the morning, and I had already 

 begun to despair of the success of our enterprise, when 

 suddenly I heard piercing cries from the opposite side, 

 immediately followed by the firing of a gun, and at the 

 same time succeeded by shouts of joy. I ran over to 

 the spot, and found the lioness expiring. She had at 

 last sprung out of her stronghold and thrown herself 



