HUNTING ELEPHANT AND RIDING LION 183 



There are one or two things that any man riding lions 

 would do well to remember: First, do not follow a lion or 

 lions into cover if you are on horseback not even thin cover. 

 Once you have chased a lion he is a very different beast from 

 the beast that rapidly slinks away from you when you are 

 hunting on foot. In this last case he instinctively knows 

 he can get away if he cares to. In the former, he finds you 

 have the pace of him, and, resenting that, he will attack 

 with determination. The second lion H. and I rode on 

 that memorable morning, when we chased two and shot 

 them in half an hour, had after H/s bullet had only stung 

 him, every chance to walk into the impenetrable stronghold 

 of the river grass, if he wanted to. It grew thickly not 

 twenty yards from where he was first hit. But he did not 

 want to do anything of the sort, and angered by the long, 

 hard chase, and casting all idea of further retreat behind 

 him, he came boldly away from the covert he had striven 

 so strenuously to gain, and advanced quickly into the open 

 to grapple with his pursuer. 



To follow a lion in such a mood into even short cover, 

 on horseback, is to court death. You are within a few 

 feet or yards before you know it. His terror-striking growl 

 as he rushes in will render your mount unmanageable, 

 and make shooting out of the question. You cannot 

 escape, and are at his mercy. This is, of course, also the 

 reason why it is folly to ride lion in grass or bush country. 

 You see one to ten galloping in front of you, next moment 

 some of these have vanished. You may not ride into them, 

 but you may, and if so, you are done for; and then, at best, 

 you will do no more lion riding that trip. 



Second, the man who does the shooting must dis- 

 mount without delay or hesitation. He must quickly 

 choose his place, fixing it in his mind as he gallops up, 

 if possible a spot from which he can command the lion for 

 a few yards every way, and on which he can plump down. 



