130 Wild Beasts 



almost at the same instant I saw the three-quarters figure 

 of either a lion or a lioness within three yards of me, on 

 the other side of the bush under which I had been creep- 

 ing. The foliage concealed the head, but I could almost 

 have touched the shoulder with my rifle. Much depended 

 upon the bullet, and I fired exactly through the centre 

 of the shoulder. Another tremendous roar, and a crash 

 in the bushes, as the animal made a bound forward, was 

 followed by another roar and a second lion took the 

 exact position of the last, and stood wondering at the 

 report of the rifle, and seeking for the cause of this intru- 

 sion. This was a grand lion with a shaggy mane; but 

 I was unloaded. Keeping my eyes fixed upon the beast, 

 I stretched my hand back for a spare rifle ; the lion 

 remained standing, but gazing up wind with his head 

 raised, and snuffing in the air for the scent of an enemy. 

 "I looked back for an instant, and saw my Tokrooris 

 faltering about five yards behind me. I looked daggers 

 at them, gnashing my teeth, and shaking my fist. They 

 saw the lion, and Taber Noor, snatching a rifle from Hadji 

 Ali, was just about to bring it, when Hassan, ashamed, 

 ran forward — the lion disappeared at the same moment. 

 Never was such a fine chance lost through the indeci- 

 sion of gun-bearers. . . . But where was the first lion ? 

 Some remains of the buffalo lay upon my right, and I 

 expected to find him most probably crouching in the 

 thorns near us. Having reloaded, I took my Reilly No. 

 10 rifle, and listened attentively for a sound. Presently 

 I heard within a low growl. Taber Noor drew his sword, 

 and with his shield before him searched for the lion, 



