oi;nr,K v. the carnivora. lis 



a few hours, or even less, lie will find Inni dead, or in tlic agonies of 

 death." 



Lion-hunting- in Afriea is not undertaken as a pastime or sport, but solely 

 for the purpose of de.-troying the animal. Mr. Thompson, in his "Travels," 

 has so graphieallv described one of these hunts, that we cannot resist the 

 temptation to insert his account here. 



"I was then residing on ui}- farm, or location, at Cavion's liiver, in the 

 neighborhood of which lunnerous herds of large game, and consequently 

 beasts of prey, are abundant. One night a lion, who had previously pur- 

 loined a few sheep out of tlie kraal, came down and killed my riding-horse, 

 about a hundred yards from the door of my cabin. Knowing that the lion, 

 when he docs not carry off his prey, usually conceals himself in the vicinity, 

 and is moreover very apt to be dangerous, by prowling about the place in 

 search of more game, I resolved to ha\e him destroyed or dislodged without 

 delaj-. 1 therefore sent a messenger round the location to invite all, who were 

 willing to assist in the foray, to repair to the [)lace of rendezvous as speedily 

 as possible. In an hour everv man of the party (with the exccptiim of two 

 plucklcss fellows, who were kept at home by the women) appeared, ready 

 mounted and armed. AVe were also rcu'nforced by about a dozen of the 

 Bastaard llottentnts, who I'csided at that time ujion our territory as tenants 

 or herdsmen — an active and ciitcrprisinLr, thouLrh rather an unsteadv race 

 of men. 



"The first point was to track the lion to his covert. This was effected by 

 a few of the Ibittentots on foot. Connncncing from the sjiot where the 

 horse was killed, we followed the spoor through grass, and gravel, and 

 brushwood, with astonishing ease and dexterity, where an inexperienced eye 

 could discern neither footprint nor trace of any kind, until, at length, we 

 fairly tracked him into a large bosch, or straggling thicket of brushwood 

 and evergreens, about a mile distant. 



"The next object was to drive him out of his retreat, in order to attack 

 him in a close phalanx, with more safety and effect. The approved mode 

 in such cases is to torment him with dogs till he abandons his covert, and 

 stands at bay in the open plain. The whole band of hunters then march 

 forward together, and fire dcliljcrately, one by one. If he does not speed- 

 ily fall, but grows angry, and turns upon his enemies, they must stand 

 close in a circle, and turn their horses' rear outward ; some holding them 

 fast by the bridles, while the others kneel to take a steady aim as he ap- 

 proaches, sometimes up to the very horses' heels, couching every now and 

 then, as if to measure the distance and strength of his enemies. This is the 

 moment to shoot him fairly in the forehead, or some other mortal part. If 

 they continue to wound him ineffectually, till he ^vaxes furious and desper- 



