118 



ADVENTURES IN SOUTH AFRICA. 



a deep growl. I thought it was all over with me. The- 

 native shouted " Tao," and, springing away, instantly 

 commenced blowing shrilly through a charmed piece 

 of bone which he wore on his necklace. I retreated to 

 the native, and we then knelt down. The lion con- 

 tinued his meal, tearing away at the buffalo, and growl- 

 ing at his wife and family, who, I found next day by 

 the spoor, had accompanied him. Knowing that he 

 would not molest me if I left him alone, I proposed to 

 the native to go to our hole and lie down, but he would 

 not hear of it, and entreated me to fire at the lion. I fired 

 three different shots where I thought I saw him, but 

 \^thout any effect ; he would not so much as for a mo- 

 ment cease munching my buffalo. I then proceeded to 

 lie down, and was soon asle p, the native keeping watch 

 over our destinies. Some time after midnight other 

 lions were heard coming on from other airts, and my 

 old friend commenced roaring so loudly that the nativa 

 thought it proper to wake me. * 



The first old lion now wanted to drink, and held right 

 away for the two unfortunate steeds, roaring terribly. 

 I felt rather alarmed for their safety; but, trusting 

 that the lion had had flesh enough for one night, I lay 

 still, and listened with an attentive ear. In a few 

 minutes, to my utter horror, I heard him spring upon 

 one of the steeds with an angry growl, and dash him to 

 the earth; the steed gave a slight groan, and all was 

 gtill. I listened to hear the sound of teeth, but all con- 

 tinued still. Soon after this " Tao" was once more to 

 be heard munching the buffalo. In a few, minutes he 

 came forward, and stood on the bank close above us, 

 and roared most te. ribly, walking up and down, as if 

 meditating some mischief. I now thought it high time 

 to make a fire, and, quickly collecting some dry reeds 



