A LION SHOT. 89 



the lion ; he seemed to be advancing right to where we 

 stood. I turned my head to ask Kleinboy for my shoot- 

 ing-horse, which he had ridden to the field of battle, 

 but my trusty after-riders had fled on hearing the first 

 growl of the advancing lion. I beheld Booi swept out 

 of the saddle by the bough of a tree, and fall heavily to 

 the ground with my pet rifle ; while Kleinboy, with 

 my other gun, was charging panic-stricken in another 

 direction. After a short chase I came up with Klein- 

 boy, who did not lack my blessing ; and having changed 

 horses and got my gun from him, I galloped to meet 

 the grim lion. 



Ye gods ! what a savage he looked. The whole of 

 his mane was deeply tinged with the blood of the buf- 

 falo, and the rays of the declining sun added to it a lus 

 ter which imparted to the now exasperated lion a look 

 of surpassing fierceness. He was making for the ad- 

 jacent rocky mountains, and he marched along in front 

 of the dogs with his tail stuck straight out, stepping 

 along with an air of the most consummate pride and 

 independence. There was not a moment to lose, so I 

 galloped forward on one side, and then rode in slowly 

 to get a near shot ; as he approached I came within 

 thirty yards of him, and, halting my horse, I fired for 

 his heart from the saddle. On receiving the ball he 

 wheeled about, when I gave him the second a little be- 

 low the first ; he then walked or ran about ten yards 

 forward and fell dead. This was a very large old lion; 

 he had cleaned his buffalo very nicely, dragging up all 

 the oflfal into a heap at a distance from the carcass, and 

 he had watched it all day to keep away the vultures, 

 &o. The buffalo carried a very fine head. 



On the 26th, feehng in very indifferent health, I re- 

 mained at home and stretched the lion's skin. 



