Conclusion 277 



yards, it will escape scot - free. Should you see 

 the lion clearly in profile, the shot at the shoulder- 

 blades, right in the centre, is excellent. The projectile 

 shatters these two bones, and almost always touches 

 the spinal column, which passes in the middle, thus 

 paralysing its fore-quarters, and placing it hors de 

 combat. But if you deviate, though there are chances 

 of seriously wounding it, you risk a long and danger- 

 ous pursuit. It is not always possible to hit a lion 

 where you wish, as I know very well ; and if you 

 shoot carelessly you must take the consequences. As 

 a general rule, dangerous animals must be annihilated 

 at the first shot, or at least disabled. To do that you 

 must fully decide what you are going to do, and, I 

 repeat, fire at them when comparatively near, so as 

 to be quite sure of your result. With the shoulder- 

 blades or spinal column broken, the animal can 

 neither use its fore-paws nor move. You can then 

 easily finish it off. On the other hand, if it is 

 merely wounded (even to the heart), a lion will sell 

 its life dearly. 



The three episodes which I have just narrated 

 conclude these records of a sportsman. May the 

 reader have felt in perusing them a pleasure akin to 

 that which I experienced when gun in hand. 



Later, when my forces have diminished, when 1 

 have given up travelling, and have definitely placed 

 my rifle in the gun-rack, I shall be able at my fire- 

 side, my heart full of regret, to turn over the pages 

 of these souvenirs, and, looking through these impres- 

 sions, photographs, and trophies, live once more the 



