220 THE LION. 



successful lion-hunters in South Africa, mentioned to me the 

 following anecdote, in illustration of the foregoing remarks. 

 He had been out alone hunting in the wilds, when he came 

 suddenly upon a lion, which, instead of giving way, seemed 

 disposed, from the angry attitude he assumed, to dispute with 

 him the dominion of the desert. Diedrik instantly alighted, 

 and, confident of his unerring aim, levelled his mighty roer at 

 the forehead of the lion, who was couched in the act to spring 

 within fifteen paces of him ; but at the moment the hunter 

 fired, his horse, whose bridle was round his arm, started back 

 and caused him to miss. The lion bounded forward, but 

 stopped within a few paces confronting Diedrik, who stood 

 defenceless, his gun discharged, and his horse running off. 

 The man and the beast stood looking each other in the face 

 for a short space. At length the lion moved backwards, as 

 if to go away. Diedrik began to load his gun. The lion 

 looked over his shoulder, growled, and returned. Diedrik 

 stood still. The lion again moved cautiously off ; and the 

 Boor proceeded to load and ram down his bullet. The lion 

 again looked back, and growled angrily j and this occurred 

 repeatedly, until the animal had got off to some distance, when 

 he fairly took to his heels and bounded away. 



" On another occasion, a lion came so suddenly upon him, 

 that before he could take aim the animal made a formidable 

 spring, and alighted so near the hunter, that he had just time 

 to thrust the muzzle of his gun into the open mouth of the 

 lion, and shoot him through the head. 



"The following amusing story, was related to me by some 

 respectable farmers of the Tarka, who were present on the 

 occasion : A party of Boors went out to hunt a lion, who had 

 carried off several cattle from the neighbourhood. They dis- 

 covered him in a thicket, or jungle, such as abound in that 

 part of the colony, and sent in a numerous pack of fierce 

 hounds to attack and drive him out. The lion kept his den 

 and his temper for some time, only striking down the dogs 

 with his mighty paw, or snapping off a head or leg occasionally, 



