248 THE MAN-EATERS OF TSAVO CHAP. 
and stared at him. Although he was not seventy 
yards away from me, yet owing to the nature of the 
background it was very difficult to make him out, 
especially as he kept his head perfectly still, gazing 
steadily at me. It was only when the great mouth 
opened in an angry snarl that I could see plainly 
what he really was. For a few seconds we stood 
thus and looked at each other; then he growled 
again and made off after the lioness. As I could 
not get a fair shot at him from where I stood, I ran 
with all my might for a point of vantage from which 
I might have a better chance of bagging him as he 
passed. 
Now by this time I had almost got beyond the 
surprise stage where lions were concerned; yet I 
must admit that I was thoroughly startled and 
brought to a full stop in the middle of my race 
by seeing no less than four more lionesses jump up 
from the covert which the lion had just left. Inthe 
twinkling of an eye three of them had disappeared 
after their lord in long, low bounds, but the fourth 
stood broadside on, looking, not at me, but at my 
followers, who by this time were grouped together 
and talking and gesticulating excitedly. This gave 
me a splendid chance for a shoulder shot at about 
fifty yards’ distance, so I knelt down at once and 
fired after taking careful aim. The lioness dis- 
appeared from sight instantly, and on looking over 
