THE WORLD'S WONDERS. 277 



all the same. Baker had taken position on an ant-hill and direct!} 7 

 after the grass was fired a beautiful picture was presented, for 

 they had surrounded an unusually large number of animals, which 

 advanced slowly, as the pace of the fire was hardly more than two 

 miles an hour. As Baker was firing with deadly effect upon a 

 herd of antelopes, he saw a yellow tail rise suddenly from a 

 water-hole not far distant, immediately followed by glimpses of 

 an immense lion, which disappeared again in the grass, with its 

 head in the direction of the hunter, as though approaching. 

 Presently a rustling in the dry grass within forty yards of his 

 stand, apprised him that the ferocious beast was coming nearer ; 

 he had three guns with him, suited for different kinds of game, 

 and seizing a rifle which was specially suited for lion shooting, in 

 another moment he caught a fair view of the animal and fired. 

 Instead of being the one he had first seen, it proved to be a 

 lioness ; she rolled over backward and turned three convulsive 

 somersaults, at the same time roaring furiously ; she then recov- 

 ered and rose as if unharmed ; Baker fired again, but must have 

 missed, for she charged at him, roaring all the while ; a load of 

 buck-shot, however, sent her back again and she disappeared in 

 the high grass. 



The lioness could be heard groaning at a short distance, so 

 carefully picking his way, Baker approached near enough to get 

 another shot, which broke her ankle joint, but again she got 

 away. Several natives now came upon the scene, and locating 

 the wounded beast, offered to throw their spears at her, which 

 would result in bringing her out so that a fair shot could be 

 secured. Baker would not allow this, but fired at her as she lay 

 partially concealed in a bottom. The reply was an immediate 

 charge, and the enraged brute came bounding toward him with 

 savage roars. The natives threw their spears, but missed, and 

 some one would have been badly torn had not a shot from a 

 smooth-bore No. 10 gun caused her to retreat again into the 

 grass. Baker now took his large rifle and followed stealthily 

 until he saw the lioness sitting up on her haunches like a dog. 

 A careful aim put a bullet in the back of her neck, from which 



