162 THE LION KILLER. 



his roaring, frightens the animals all around, you will find at 

 the fords I have mentioned, traces of some family that has 

 taken up its summer quarters in the dens bordering the 

 Ouled-Cherf. After you have found the footprints of several 

 lions on the sand of the river, try to fled the path by which 

 thev descend from the woods to their forays on the plain, and 

 you will have an entire moon in which to wait for them, and 

 most probably you will not fail to encounter them. 



Place yourself in such a position that you can overlook 

 the ford, and fire from above, always remembering never to 

 fire from below ; however dangerously your first ball may 

 wound the animal, it only takes two seconds for him to be 

 on you. 



Remember that the more seriously a lion is wounded, and 

 the nearer he is to death, the more dangerous he becomes. 



At this ford of Boulerbegh to which I recommend you, on 

 one night in July, 1845, I found myself face to face with 

 three lions, each about three years old. The first stopped on 

 seeing me ; I sent him rolling into the river. It was well I 

 had placed myself above the path, or this animal, with his 

 broken shoulders, would infallibly have killed me, since three 

 times he turned towards me, dragging himself on his stomach, 

 which effort must have caused him excruciating agonies. 

 Mv position and the slowness of his movements enabled me 

 to reload, and three times I sent him into the brook, where he 

 at last remained. 



Do not be worried if you see a number of tracks in the 

 path below you, for if they are young lions but two years 

 old, they will walk before their mother 



