LAST MISSION TO AFRICA. 
133 
the barking of a large mastiff, but ending in a hiss like 
the fuf * of a cat. I thought it must be some large monkey ; 
and was observing to Mr. Anderson " what a bouncing 
fellow that must be," when we heard another bark nearer 
to us, and presently a third still nearer, accompanied with 
a growl. I now suspected that some wild animal meant to 
attack us, but could not conjecture of what species it was 
likely to be. We had not proceeded an hundred j^ards 
farther^ when coming to an opening in the bushes, I was 
not a little surprised to see three lions coming towards us. 
They were not so red as the lion I formerly saw in Bam- 
barra,t but of a dusky colour, like the colour of an ass. 
They were very large, and came bounding over the long 
grass, not one after another, but all abreast of each other. 
I was afraid, if I allowed them to come too near us, and 
my piece should miss fire, that we should be all devoured 
by them. I therefore let go the bridle, and walked for- 
wards to meet them. As soon as they were within a long 
shot of me, I fired at the centre one. I do not think I hit 
him ; but they all stopt, looked at each other, and then 
bounded away a few paces, when one of them stopt, and 
looked back at me. I was too busy in loading my piece 
to observe their motions as they went away, and was very 
happy to see the last of them march slowly off amongst 
• Thus in Mr. Park's MS. f Park's Travels, p. 208. 
