METHODS OF LION HUNTING 339 



to experience the sensation of being mauled by a 

 lion. All was breathlessly silent for a moment. 

 Then a shot from Stephenson's rifle said that the 

 lion had burst from the reeds and into view. 



We pushed our way out to see what had hap- 

 pened. 



The lion had come out, then turned suddenly back 

 into the cover of reeds, working its way along the 

 front of the beaters. For an instant Stephenson saw 

 it and fired into the grass ahead of it without result. 



The track of the lion was followed, but the ani- 

 mal had succeeded in getting around the beaters 

 and back into the swamp. Fires were lighted, but 

 the reeds were too green to burn except in occa- 

 sional spots. 



A few minutes later the saises, posted like senti- 

 nels high on the hills that flanked the swamp, saw 

 the lion again and galloped down to head it off. It 

 left the swamp and continued on down the rush- 

 lined banks of a stream, zigzagging its way back 

 and forth. After a pursuit of a couple of miles it 

 was cornered in a small patch of reeds. Further re- 

 treat was impossible and it knew that it had to fight. 



The moving-picture machine was set up on one 

 side and I was detailed to guard that side. If the 

 lion came out it was to be allowed to charge a cer- 

 tain distance, within forty feet, before I was to 

 fire. If it didn't charge at us, but attempted to es- 

 cape, it was to be allowed to run across the strip of 

 open ground in front of the camera before I was to 

 shoot. 



