SOUTH AFRICA FIFTY YEARS AGO 31 
ng 
~ makes him look up, and he had better beware and hold 
straight now if ever, for down comes the wounded bull, and 
nothing but death or a disabling shot will stop him. I have 
seen one with entirely paralysed hind-quarters attempt to 
carry out his rush to the bitter end by dragging himseif 
_ along with his forefeet. His pluck is splendid ; no single 
lion will face him, though, attacked by stealth or numbers, he 
_ occasionally falls a prey. Once I went out in one direction 
and Murray in another to shoot elands for fat to make candles 
—we carried wicks and tin moulds amongst our stores. I turned 
homewards early to throw off my load, and within a mile or two 
of the waggons put up six lions on a flat surrounded by bush ; 
in riding after them for a shot I drove up a couple more, so 
had a ‘flock’ of eight before me. Pressing them, the hind- 
t, a fine black-maned fellow, who seemed willing to sacri- 
himself for his friends and relations, turned on me, thus 
- the others time to continue their retreat. Twice 
dismounted to shoot bim, but before I could get the chance 
wanted, I was obliged to remount, for the whole of his com- 
ns, seeing their rear-guard cut off and in difficulties, bore 
wnuponme. One was all very well, but I felt I was not the 
aan for the eight ; they were not very far from bush when I 
stsaw them, and before I could get upon anything I thought 
terms they reached cover without a shot. 
found Murray already in camp. He had come upon an 
ch’s nest, and making his after-rider take off his trousers 
and tie up the bottoms, he had carefully packed the eggs in 
hem, put them across a horse, and, with heart set on omelet, 
ad returned to the cookery pots. Unfortunately, he had not 
en an egg, but taken them in faith, and they all contained 
ng birds, which the Kafirs were joyfully stirring round in 
- big baking-pot preparatory to a feast when I appeared on 
scene. My readers may naturally say,‘ What has eland 
and ostrich eggs to do with the courage of buffaloes?’ 
Wel, these are just the incidents of daily camp life, which 
e brought up another recollection illustrative of my point. 
E2 
