SKINNING THE LIONS. 151 



the fountain. His skin was of a dusky yellow hue, and his 

 inane, which reached to his feet, was of a lighter color. 

 The lioness was the first we had seen in Africa. Her 

 body was long and very compactly built. She was utterly 

 destitute of mane, but covered with a short, thick, glossy 

 coat of tawny hair. Her face wore an expression of in- 

 tense ferocity, such as no other animal possesses. We 

 afterwards ascertained that the lioness is much more to 

 be dreaded than the lion, being far more active, daring, 

 and ferocious. 



The labor of skinning the slain animals we left to our ' 

 Hottentot, Mallo, and we returned to camp to prepare for a 

 ride after the elephants. The thrilling excitement of the 

 iiornmg had banished all thoughts of sleep from our minds, 

 and we resolved to devote the day to hunting. Our horses 

 were rubbed down and refreshed at the fountain ; our 

 rifles examined and ascertained to be in prime order ; and 

 our stock of ammunition replenished. Carollus was directed 

 to follow us as after rider, and he also was well armed. On 

 his horse was a small bag, containing some pieces of cold 

 meat for our refreshment in case of our not returning to 

 camp by noon. 



We set off before the sun had risen far above the eastern 

 plain, and while the coolness of the night was still retained 

 in some degree by the air. Not a cloud was to be seen ; 

 but above us, like a vast blue tent, was spread the un- 



