.ABSTRACTION OP CUBS. 
47 
has a young family. cc He then knows no fear,” 
writes Gordon Gumming, 44 and will face a thousand 
men. A remarkable instance of this kind came 
under my own observation, which confirmed the 
reports I had before heard from the natives. One 
day, when out elephant-hunting in the territory of 
the 4 Baseleka,’ accompanied by 250 men, I was 
astonished suddenly to behold a majestic lion slowly 
and steadily advancing towards us with a dignified 
step and undaunted bearing, the most noble and 
imposing that can be conceived. Lashing his tail 
from side to side, and growling haughtily, his ter¬ 
ribly expressive eye resolutely fixed upon us, and 
displaying a show of ivory well calculated to inspire 
terror amongst the timid 4 Becuanas,’ he approached. 
A headlong flight of the 250 men was the imme¬ 
diate result; and, in the confusion of the moment, 
four couple of my dogs, which they had been lead¬ 
ing, were allowed to escape in their couples. These 
instantly faced the lion, who, finding that by his 
bold bearing he had succeeded in putting his 
enemies to flight, now became anxious for the safety 
of his little family, with which the lioness was re¬ 
treating in the background. Facing about, he fol¬ 
lowed after them with a haughty and independent 
step, growling fiercely at the dogs which trotted 
along on either side of him.” 
In Southern Africa, the cubs, when of a tender 
age, are not unfrequently abstracted from the den 
during the absence of the mother; but the act is 
accompanied with much danger; for, should the 
lioness return whilst the man is in the act of de- 
