MAMMALIA— LION. 173 



are gazing at the rising of the sun ; and by observing, at the same time, 

 if they appear frightened and run off, they conclude that they have been 

 attacked by the lion. Marking accurately the spot where the alarm took 

 place, about eleven o'clock in the day, when the sun is powerful, and the 

 enemy they seek is supposed to be fast asleep, they carefully examine 

 the ground, and finding him in a state of unguarded security, they lodge a 

 poisoned arrow in his breast. The moment the lion is thus struck he 

 springs from his lair, and bounds off as helpless as the stricken deer. The 

 work is done ; the arrow of death has pierced his heart, without even break- 

 ing the slumbers of the lioness which may have been lying beside him ; and 

 the Bushman knows where, in the course of a few hours, or even in less 

 time, he will find him dead, or in the agonies of death. 



Mr Burchell furnishes us Avith the following lively description : — "The 

 day was exceedingly pleasant, and not a cloud was to be seen. For a mile 

 or two we travelled along the banks of the river, which in this part abound- 

 ed in tall mat-rushes. The dogs seemed much to enjoy prowling about and 

 examining every bushy place, and at last met with some object among the 

 rushes which caused them to set up a most vehement and determined bark- 

 ing. We explored the spot with caution, as we suspected, from the peculiar 

 tone of their bark, that it was, what it proved to be, lions. Having encour- 

 aged the dogs to drive them out, a task which they performed with great 

 willingness, we had a full view of an enormous black maned lion, and a 

 lioness. The latter was seen only for a minute, as she made her escape up 

 the river, under concealment of the rushes ; but the lion came steadily for- 

 ward and stood still to look at us. At this moment we felt our situation 

 not free from danger, as the animal seemed preparing to spring upon us, 

 and we were standing on the bank at the distance of only a few yards from 

 him, most of us being on foot and unarmed, without any visible possibility 

 of escaping. I had given up my horse to the hunters, and was on foot 

 myself, but there was no time for fear, and it was useless to attempt avoid- 

 ing him. I stood well upon my guard, holding my pistols in my hand, 

 with my finger upon the trigger, and those who had muskets kept them- 

 selves prepared in the same manner. But at this instant, the dogs boldly 

 flew in between us and the lion, and surrounding him, kept him at bay by 

 their violent and resolute barking. The courage of these faithful animals 

 was most admirable ; they advanced up to the side of the huge beast, and 

 stood making the greatest clamor in his face, without the least appearance 

 of fear. The lion, conscious of his strength, remained unmoved at their 

 noisy attempts, and kept his head turned towards us. At one moment, the 

 dogs perceiving his eyes thus engaged, had advanced close to his feet, and 

 seemed as if they would actually seize hold of him, but they paid dearly for 

 their imprudence, for, without discomposing the majestic and steady attitude 

 in which he stood fixed, he merely moved his paw, and at the next instant 

 I beheld two lying dead. In doing this, he made so little exertion, that it 



