86 THE MAN-EATERS OF TSAVO CHAP. 
partially concealed from view, and if his attention 
had not been so fully occupied by the noise behind 
him, he must have observed me. As he was 
oblivious to my _ presence, however, I let him 
approach to within about fifteen yards of me, 
and then covered him with my rifle. The moment 
I moved to do this, he caught sight of me, and 
seemed much astonished at my sudden appearance, 
for he stuck his forefeet into the ground, threw 
himself back on his haunches and growled savagely. 
As I covered his brain with my rifle, [ felt that - 
at last I had him absolutely at my mercy, but 
never trust an untried weapon! I pulled 
the trigger, and to my horror heard the dull snap 
that tells of a misfire. 
Worse was to follow. I was so taken aback 
and disconcerted by this untoward accident that 
I entirely forgot to fire the left barrel, and 
lowered the rifle from my _ shoulder with the 
intention of reloading—if I should be given time. 
Fortunately for me, the lion was so distracted 
by the terrific din and uproar of the coolies behind 
him that instead of springing on me, as might have 
been expected, he bounded aside into the jungle 
again. By this time I had collected my wits, and 
just as he jumped I let him have the left barrel. An 
answering angry growl told me that he had been hit ; 
but nevertheless he succeeded once more in getting 
clear away, for although I tracked him for some little 
~ ee 
