A Breath from the Veldt 



227 



another was tearing at its shoulder, whilst a fourth (either a young lion or a 

 lioness) was endeavouring to fasten on the other fore-leg. Now, according to 

 Oswell and Selous (to say nothing of other authorities), when he sees his 

 way to do it, the lion's first aim is to break his victim's neck, or to kill by mass 

 of wounds, tearing away at the flesh on whatever part of the beast he can easiest 



'!^/i~fi^//ei^^ 



THE VOICE OF AFRICA 



attack. Here, however (as proved by subsequent examination), the lions 

 deliberately set themselves to hamstring the buffalo by biting through the great 

 tendons of his legs and shoulder. Van Staden killed one of the lionesses and 

 severely wounded the lion, and the buffalo being unable to rise, he despatched 

 him also and examined the carcase carefully. He described the bites to me as 

 being all concentrated on the various points of attack, where the lions having 



