148 DISCOVERED TWO LIONS. 



difficulty ; and I secured several of the teeth as my share 

 of the trophies. The Hottentots expressed their surprise 

 and joy in a series of ridiculous gestures, and they kicked 

 the carcass about as if they thought it could feel their 

 blows. These people entertain a more than wholesome 

 dread of the lion, and the man that kills one, is from that 

 time a superior being in their estimation. We found that 

 they are not to be relied upon in case of a perilous 

 encounter with the king of beasts. 



The wildebeests slain by us proved to be two fine ani- 

 mals. They were females. The general color was blue 

 but the long, bushy tails were black. Their general aspect 

 resembled that of the buffalo, although they are said to 

 belong to the antelope tribe. Their heads were ponderous 

 and fierce looking, and their manes long and shaggy. Our 

 Hottentots soon butchered these animals to our' satisfac- 

 tion, and we then returned to camp, determined to eat a 

 hearty meal and then set off in pursuit of the wounded 

 elephant. 



Before we had concluded our meal of wildebeests flesh, 

 which was indeed delicious eating, we were startled by an 

 incident that might have had unpleasant consequences. 

 While we were engaged in eating and chating, our oxen 

 came trotting along in front of the wagon as if pursued ; 

 and looking up, we saw a lioness following within twenty 

 yards of them ; and the next moment her mate, a yellow 



