SECOND EXPEDITION TO SOUTH AFRICA 93 
_ quick or so resolute as a tiger’s, and he has a much better head to 
hit; still, he looks ugly enough when, with mane standing out 
as if electrified, and with a short, barking roar, he comes down 
_ tothecharge. He will not, except when hard pressed by hunger, 
__ or when accustomed to feed off human carcases lying about after 
fights and raids, attack man in the daytime unprovoked. A 
_ surly beast, awakened suddenly from sleep, or disturbed while 
_ feeding, might be nasty ; but he nearly always retreats before 
_ man, for the fear and the dread of one of Noah’s family are still 
a tradition with wild beasts. But even in the cases above 
_ mentioned his conduct very much depends on yours. In the 
' daylight wild animals, especially the wildebeest and quagga, 
show but little fear, running up to within fifty yards, and gazing 
_ at him as if fascinated. 
_ In my first journey I hunted for many weeks with a party 
of Bushmen, and gained many valuable hints about beasts and 
ways from them ; and, with regard to the lion, I learned 
if you came aciiised on one, your best chance was to 
still and he would move off, but that if you turned and 
, he was nearly sure to make after you. Three times in 
my shooting life have I tested this advice—once on horseback, 
twice on foot. On the first occasion, without a gun, I came 
quite unawares upon a sleeping lion. He woke, stood up, and 
we looked at each other for a few seconds. Then he turned, 
walked away very slowly for thirty or forty yards, as if he 
wished to convey the idea that he was only moving to get out 
#f such low society—throwing his head first over one shoulder, 
the other, to see what impression he was making—and 
ctly he thought he was out of sight broke into a lumber- 
gallop. If he shows an inclination to hold his own 
n met, the Bushmen stoop, and, with their hands resting 
On their knees, begin to walk very slowly towards him. He 
es his head and watches the man suspiciously, trying to 
out what he is about, and then, turning, retreats. I would 
say that this plan would be always successful, but I firmly 
eve it is the best to try when you are unarmed. I have 
