202 THE MAN-EATERS OF TSAVO CHAP. 
looking at us, I had, of course, a grand opportunity 
of dropping both, but I confess I did not feel equal 
to it at the moment. I could only devoutly hope 
that they would not renew their attack, and was 
only too thankful to let them depart in peace if they 
would, without any further hostility on my _ part. 
Just at this juncture the lion seemed to grow 
suddenly very weak. He staggered some ten yards 
back towards his lair, and then fell to the ground ; 
the lioness followed, and lay down beside him—both 
still watching us, and growling savagely. After a 
few seconds the lion struggled to his feet again and 
retreated a little further, the lioness accompanying 
him until he fell once more. A third time the same 
thing took place, and at last I began to breathe more 
freely, as they had now reached the thicket from 
which they had originally emerged. Accordingly 
I took a shot at the lioness as she lay beside her 
mate, partly concealed in the long grass. I do not 
think I hit her, but anyhow she at once made off 
and bounded away at a great rate on emerging into 
the open. 
I sent a few bullets after her to speed her on her 
way, and then cautiously approached the wounded 
lion. He was stretched out at full length on his 
side, with his back towards me, but I could see by 
the heaving of his flanks that he was not yet dead, 
so I put a bullet through his spine. He never 
a 2? ne 
