^ 22 Felid^. MAMMALIA. Felid^. 
on the bank above, followed by a discharge of fire-arms. 
Presently, however, all was still again ; for the lion, as 
I subsequently learnt, after showing himself on the 
outskirts of the brake, had retreated into it. Once 
more I attempted to dislodge the beast; but finding 
the enemy awaiting him in the more open country, 
he was very loath to leave liis stronghold. Again, 
however, I succeeded in driving him to the edge 
of the brake, where, as in the first instance, he was 
received with a volley ; but a broomstick would have 
been equally efficacious as a gun in the hands of 
these people, for out of a great number of shots that 
were fired, not one seemed to have taken effect. Worn 
out at length with my exertions, and disgusted beyond 
measure at the way in which the natives bungled the 
affair, I left the tamarisk brake, and, rejoining them on 
the bank above, offered to change place with them ; 
but my proposal, as I expected, was forthwith declined. 
As the day, however, was now fast drawing to a close, 
I determined to make one other effort to destroy the 
lion, and, should that prove unsuccessful, to give up 
the chase. Accordingly, accompanied by a single 
native, I again entered the brake in question, which I 
examined for some time without seeing anything ; but 
on arriving at that part of the cover we had first 
searched, and when in a spot comparatively free from 
bushes, up suddenly sprung the beast within a few 
paces of me. It was a black-maned lion, and one 
of the largest I ever remember to have encountered in 
Africa. But his movements were so rapid, so silent 
and smooth withal, that it was not until he had par- 
tially entered the thick cover — at which time he might 
have been about thirty paces distant — that I could fire. 
On receiving the ball he wheeled short about, and, with 
a terrific roar, bounded towards me. When within a 
few paces, he couched as if about to spring, having his 
head imbedded, so to say, between his fore-paws. 
Drawing a large hunting-knife and slipping it over the 
wrist of my right hand, I dropped on one knee, and, 
thus prepared, awaited his onset. It was an awful 
moment of suspense, and my situation was critical in 
the extreme. Still my presence of mind never for a 
moment forsook me — indeed, I felt that nothing but 
the most perfect coolness and absolute self-command 
would be of any avail. I would now have become the 
assailant; but as — owing to the inteiwening bushes, and 
clouds of dust raised by the lion’s lashing his tail 
against the ground — I was unable to see his head, 
while to aim at any other part would have been mad- 
ness, I refrained from firing. Whilst intently watching 
his every motion, he suddenly bounded towards me ; 
but — whether it was owing to his not perceiving me, 
partiall}' concealed as I was in the long grass, or to mj' 
instinctively throwing my body on one side, or to his 
miscalculating the distance — in making his last spring, 
he went clear over me, and alighted on the ground 
three or four paces beyond. Instantly, and without 
rising, I wheeled round on my knee, and discharged 
my second barrel, and, as his broadside was then 
towards me, lodged a ball in his shoulder, which it 
completely smashed. On receiving my second tire, he 
made another and more determined rush at me ; but, 
owing to his disabled state, I happily avoided him. It 
was, however, only by a hair’s breadth, for he passed 
me within arm’s length. He afterwards scrambled into 
the thick cover, beyond where, as night was then 
approaching, I did not deem it prudent to pursue him.” 
Next morning they found the spot where the poor 
brute had passed the night in sleepless agony ; but it 
was not until the expiration of several days that his 
carcase was found, then in a state of decomposition ; 
and thus ends the story. Many other narrow escapes 
are recorded by Mr. Andersson, some of which are 
even more astonishing. In most instances it would 
appear that these escapes depend upon the cowardice 
of the lion, which also does not seem to be able to 
recognize the proper moment when an intended victim 
is entirel}' within its power. Thus, for example, what 
can be more extraordinary than the following incident, 
given by the same gentleman ? — An old waggon-driver, 
Piet by name, “riding along one morning in a very 
weak state, having just recovered from a severe fever, 
a lion suddenly rushed on him. The ox became 
frightened, and threw the old man. One of his feet 
was caught in the stirrup; but, fortunately, the ‘weld’ 
shoe slipped off. ‘ I know,’ said the old veteran hunter, 
‘ I was thrown, and that I got on my legs again, but in 
what manner is quite a mystery to me to this da}'. I 
called, as loud as my feeble voice permitted, to my 
people to bring a gun, the lion always getting nearer 
and nearer, until he stood within arm’s length. I once 
or twice tried to pull out my pistol or my sword-knife, 
which, as you know, I usually carry about with me, 
but in my anxiety I missed them. My jacket was 
lying just in front of me on the ground, but the brute 
had one of his paws on it. I felt desperate, however, 
and, pulling it forcibly away, struck the lion on the 
head, when he grinned and growled terribly, and I 
expected every moment he would tear me to pieces. 
At this juncture my damara, who fortunately had 
heard my cries of distress, came running up with my 
gun. Taking the piece from the man, I fired at the 
lion, who had retreated a few paces, where he sat 
quietly looking at me. I dont know whether I hit him, 
for what M'ith the sudden fright and my weak constitu- 
tion, I felt very unsteady. Be that as it may, it had 
at all events the effect of scaring him away, for at the 
report of the gun he instantly betook himself to 
cover.’ ” In such cases as the above, one cannot but 
recognize a providentially-implanted fearfulness in the 
the lion, which frequently gives to the human victim 
an opportunity of escape ; and perhaps, therefore, those 
instances of deliverance, where the animal has already 
partially succeeded in overcoming his intended prey, 
ought to be considered the more remarkable — such, 
for example, as that of the escape of Dr. Livingstone, 
which is described by the distinguished missionary 
himself as follows: — “Being about thirty yards off, I 
took a good aim at his body through the bush, and 
fired both barrels into it. The men then called out, 
‘ He is shot, he is shot ! ’ Others cried, ‘ He has been 
shot by another man too; let us go to him!’ I did 
not see any one else shoot at him, but I saw the lion’s 
tail erected in anger behind the bush, and, turning to 
the people, said, ‘ Stop a little till I load again.’ When 
in the act of ramming down the bullets I heard a shout. 
