136 THREE LIOXS AND A BUFFALO. 



this animal in rather higher esteem than the commonly received 

 king of beasts. He could not but be impressed by the rapid, 

 resistless charge of this powerful animal. His Makololo com- 

 panions, who manifest a solemn hesitancy in disputing the 

 rights of the lion, follow along the buffalo trail carelessly 

 enough. He is a foe whom they understand ; one for which 

 they may be prepared. It is rather singular to observe in this 

 great lumbering monster the same cunning endeavors to elude 

 the pursuers which distinguish the fox and the stag. It is 

 true, however, that the buffalo observes the same shifting and 

 turning, often doubling on its track, and frequently concealing 

 itself within a few yards of the starting-point. When, however, 

 it becomes really desperate, and comes dashing with reckless 

 impetuosity upon its assailant, it is the time for cither special 

 prowess or special prayers. This is the moment when the 

 native dexterity is exhibited most admirably. Just at the 

 instant when he seems to be a victim, and the beholder almost 

 screams in terror, the young man glides aside and stabs his 

 enemy very much after the fashion in a Spanish bull-fight. 

 Max Vardon, who shared considerably the sporting experiences 

 of Mr. Oswell, mentions witnessing a fight between a buffalo 

 and thi'ee full-grown lions. The gentlemen mentioned were 

 pursuing the buffalo, which they had wounded, and were in 

 full sight of it, when they saw the lions spring from their lair 

 and attack him. The spectacle was awful. Fastening their 

 mighty teeth in the flanks and shoulders of the buffalo, the 

 three tremendous lions could be seen exerting all their fearful 

 strength to drag him down, while their angry growls mingled 

 with his agonized and furious bellowing, and his gigantic 

 bounds and struggles where amazing and awful. It is impossi- 

 ble to tell how the singular and unequal contest would have 

 ended but for the trusty rifles of the hunters, who terminated 

 the scene by " bagging a brace of lions and the buffalo in about 

 ten minutes." 



When the party had come opposite the village of Manenko, 

 they received messages from her ladyship, who holds the chief- 

 taincy there, requesting a delay until she could come to them ; 

 but after several days of useless, interchange of messages, while 

 incessant rains were aggravating impatience, Livingstone deter- 



