80 VERTEBRATA. MAMMALIA. 



The following interesting narrative will give an 

 idea of this noble but hazardous sport : " We resolv- 

 ed to descend to the valley, where there was a large 

 pool of water, and unsaddle our horses for half an 

 hour. As we moved on for this purpose, I observed 

 two of the Hottentots riding in the rear alongside 

 of each other, conversing in a whisper, and with 

 their eyes steadily fixed on some distant point in 

 the hollow below. After a long, silent, and intent 

 gaze, their eyes met, as they simultaneously looked 

 up as if to read each other's thoughts, and one said 

 in a low, cautious tone in Dutch, ' They are lions.' 



" The intelligence caused an instant halt ; and 

 after a hasty exhortation to keep together, we grasp- 

 ed our double barrels, and gave the spur to our 

 steeds to overtake the chase, who were soon out of 

 the long slope, and going off to the opposite slope. 

 Captain A.'s clear ' tally-ho ' was chorussed loudly as 

 we galloped down the brae, cheering to bring them 

 to ; when from the same rushy bottom emerged two 

 others, going off to the right, and for them we im- 

 mediately rode, and quickly swept through the firm, 

 though rank, grassy hollow. As we were fast gain- 

 ing on them up the rise, they suddenly swung round 

 in succession, like two cutters, suddenly letting go 

 anchor while carrying a press of canvass off the 

 wind ; and there they lay couched, two Lionesses 

 seemingly, with heads erect, and glaring eyes, jaws 

 half opened and swinging tails." 



Having dismounted to attack the nearer of the 

 two, 



