170 MAMMALIA—LION. 
of men. Our friends, the Tarkaboors, many of whom are excellent lion 
hunters, were all too far distant to assist us, our nearest nezghbors residing 
at least twenty miles from the location. We were, therefore, on account 
of our own inexperience, obliged to make our Hottentots the leaders of 
the chase. . 
“The first point was to track the lion to his covert. This was effected 
by a few of the Hottentots, on feot. Commencing from the spot where the 
horse was killed, they followed the spoor, (track,) through grass, and gravel, 
and brushwood, with astonishing ease and dexterity, where an inexperienc: 
ed eye could discern neither foot print nor mark of any kindi—unt. at 
length we fairly tracked him into a large bosch, or straggling thicker of 
brushwood and evergreens, about a mile distant. 
“The next object was to drive him out of this retreat, in order to attack 
him in close phalanx, and 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 deliberately one by one. If he does not speedily 
fall, but grows angry and turns upon his enemies, they must then stand 
close in a circle, and turn their horses, rear outward; some holding them 
fast by the bridles, while the others rag to take a steady aim at the lion 
as he approaches, 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 mor 
tal part. If they continue to wound him ineffectually till he waxes furious 
and desperate, or if the horses, startled by his terrific roar, grow frantic 
with terror, and burst loose, the business becomes rather serious, and may 
end in mischief; especially if all the party aremot men of courage, coolness, 
and experience. The frontier boors are, however, generally such exceilent 
marksmen, and, withal, so cool and deliberate, that they seldom fail to shoot 
him dead as soon as che get within a fair distance. 
“Tn the present instance, we did not manage matters quite so scientifically. 
The Bastuards, after recounting to us all these and other sage laws of lion 
hunting, were themselves the first to depart from them. Finding that the 
few indifferent hounds which we had, made little impression on the enemy, 
they divided themselves into two or three parties, and rode round the jungle, 
firing into the spot where the dogs were barking round him, but without 
effect. At length, after some hours spent in thus beating about the bush, 
the Scottish blood of some of my countrymen began to get impatient; and 
three of them announced their determination to march in and beard the lion 
in his den, provided three of the Bastuards, (who were superior marksmen,) 
would support them and follow up their fire, should the enemy venture to 
give battle. Accordingly, in they went, (in spite of the warnings of some 
more prudent men among us,) to within fifteen or twenty paces of the spot 
where the animal lay concealed. He was couched among the roots of a 
