216 A LION HUNT. 



tion of returning to the post with but one skin, to- 

 morrow being the last day we could remain on the 

 ground, it struck us to try as a last expedient, 

 sending out three of the mounted Hottentots before 

 dawn, for the chance of seeing lions, if there were 

 any in the country ; and if they did, to follow them 

 to their lair, and while two remained in observation, 

 to dispatch the third with the news to us, and a sub- 

 scription was forthwith entered into, to reward them 

 if successful. Schumacher, a dark-visaged Bastaard, 

 of well-known nerve and eagle eye, was called into 

 council, and after a little hesitation at first, agreed 

 to go, and we told him to choose his companions : 

 he pitched on two, both equally well acquainted with 

 the country, and, some hours after, they departed 

 before daylight. 



" In the morning, after we had bathed and 

 breakfasted, we shot at empty bottles, and the bright 

 sunny day wore on ; the guns were duly cleaned 

 and laid by loaded, and we looked at our watches, 

 and began to despair, when, about twelve o'clock, a 

 Hottentot was seen slowly approaching on a tired 

 horse. Captain A. ran down to meet him, and we 

 saw him hold a brief and earnest converse, and then 

 hold up both hands as a signal. It was quite enough, 

 servants were loudly summoned, horses saddled, and 

 guns brought forth ; and then the guide, having got 

 a fresh horse, we started in high glee, the man in- 

 forming us, as we went along, how they had descried 



