THE CAPE LION. 21 
takes his secret stand among the reeds and long grass in 
the neighbourhood of springs and rivers, and watches 
with unwearied patience for such animals as may, for 
the purpose of quenching their thirst, pass sufficiently 
near him to ensure the success of his attack. This is 
generally made in one enormous bound of fifteen, twenty, 
or even, it is said, thirty feet, and with a force capable of 
bearing to the ground and completely disabling the most 
formidable opponent. At times, however, he will pursue 
his prey somewhat more openly, and by quickly repeated 
springs; but this is an exertion which he is unable to 
continue for any considerable length of time, and which, 
consequently, any animal of moderate fleetness, that has 
fairly got the start of him, is certain to outstrip. Of 
this the Lion appears to be fully aware; for, if not 
successful in the commencement of the chase, he gene- 
rally relinquishes it at once, and retires gradually, and 
step by step, to his place of ambush, to watch for a 
better opportunity and a more certain prey. 
It is rarely that the Lion of the Cape district ventures 
to attack a man, unless provoked, or impelled by urgent 
hunger. The colonists, however, who are very great 
sufferers (especially in their horses, for whose flesh he 
seems to have a peculiar taste) by his frequent visits, are 
his most determined and deadly foes, and omit no 
opportunity of wreaking their vengeance upon him for 
the injuries which he has inflicted upon their property. 
The frontier boors in particular, who are more exposed 
to his ravages, and who, being well trained to hunting, 
are most of them excellent marksmen, appear to take a 
peculiar pleasure in attacking the Lion, even when they 
