ENCOUNTER WITH A LIONESS. 181 



Suddenly I observed a number of vultures seated on 

 the plain about a quarter of a mile ahead of us, and 

 close beside them stood a huge lioness, consuming a 

 blesbok which she had killed. She was assisted in her 

 repast by about a dozen jackals, which were feasting 

 along with her in the most friendly and confidential 

 manner. Directing my followers' attention to the spot, 

 I remarked, "I see the lion;" to which they replied, 

 " Whar ? whar t Yah ! Almagtig ! dat is he ;" and 

 instantly reining in their steeds and wheeling about, 

 they pressed their heels to their horses' sides, and were 

 preparing to betake themselves to flight. I asked them 

 what they were going to do. To which they answer- 

 ed, " "We have not yet placed caps on our rifles." This 

 was true ; but while this short conversation was pass- 

 ing the lioness had observed us. Raising her full, round 

 face, she overhauled us for a few seconds, and then set 

 off at a smart canter toward a range of mountains some 

 miles to the northward ; the whole troop of jackals also 

 started oif in another direction ; there was, therefore, 

 no time to think of caps. The first move was to bring 

 her to bay, and not a second was to be lost. Spurring 

 my good and lively steed, and shouting to my men to 

 follow, I flew across the plain, and, being fortunately 

 mounted on Colesberg, the flower of my stud, I gained 

 upon her at every stride. This was to me a joyful mo- 

 ment, and I at once made up my mind that she or I 

 must die. 



The lioness having had a long start of me, we went 

 over a considerable extent of ground before I came up 

 with her. She was a large, fuU-grown beast, and the 

 bare and level nature of the plain added to her impos- 

 ing appearance. Finding that I gained upon her, sho 

 reduced her pace from a canter to a trot, carrying hei 



