ADVENTURES WITH LIONS. 691 
was silent. We could discover no lights, and, amid the dark- 
ness, were unable to trace footmarks to the pool. We let 
loose our wearied oxen to drink and graze, but as we were 
ignorant of the character of the company with which we 
might have to spend the night, we took a firebrand, and 
examined the edges of the pool to see, from the imprints, 
what animals were in the habit of drinking there, and, with 
terror, discovered many spoors of lions. We immediately 
collected the oxen, and brought them to the wagon, to which 
we fastened them with the strongest thongs we had, having 
discovered in their appearance something rather wild, indi- 
cating that either from scent or sight, they knew danger was 
near. The two Barolongs had brought a young cow with 
them, and though I recommended their making her fast also, 
they very humorously replied that she was too wise to leave 
the wagon and oxen, even though a lion should be scented. 
We took a little supper, which was followed by our evening 
hymn, and prayer. I had retired only a few minutes to my 
wagon to prepare for the night, when the whole of the oxen 
started to their feet. 
A lion had seized the cow only a few steps from their tails, 
and dragged it to the distance of thirty or forty yards, where 
we distinctly heard it tearing the animal, and breaking the 
bones, while its bellowings were most pitiful. When these 
were over, I seized my gun, but as it was too dark to see any 
object at half the distance, I aimed at the spot where the 
devouring jaws of the lion were heard. I fired again and 
again, to which he replied with tremendous roars, at the 
same time making a rush towards the wagon, so as exceed- 
ingly to terrify the oxen. The two Barolongs engaged to 
take firebrands, advance a few yards, and throw them at him, 
so as to afford me a degree of light, that I might take aim, 
the place being bushy. They had scarcely discharged them 
from their hands, when, the flame went out, and the enraged 
animal rushed towards them with such swiftness, that I had 
