66 
THE LION. 
seized my gun, but as it was too dark to see any object 
at half the distance, I aimed at the spot where the 
devouring jaws of the lion were heard. I fired again 
and again, to which he replied with, tremendous 
roars, at the same time making a rush towards the 
waggons, so as exceedingly to terrify the oxen. 
The two Barolongs engaged to take fire-brands, 
advanced a few yards, and threw them at him so as to 
afford me a degree of light that I might take aim, 
the place being bushy. They had scarcely dis¬ 
charged them from their hands when the flame 
went out, and the enraged animal rushed towards 
them with such swiftness that I had barely time to 
turn the gun and fire between the men and the 
lion, and providentially the ball struck the ground 
immediately under his head, as we found by examina¬ 
tion the following morning. From this surprise 
he returned, growling fearfully. The men darted 
through some thorn-bushes, with countenances 
indicative of the utmost terror. It was now the 
opinion of all that wq had better let him alone if he 
did not molest us. 
“ Having but a scanty supply of wood to keep up 
a fire, one man crept among the bushes on one side 
of the pool, while I proceeded for the same purpose 
on the other side. I had not gone far when, look¬ 
ing upwards to the edge of the small basin, I dis¬ 
cerned between me and the sky four animals, 
whose attention appeared to be directed to me by 
the noise I made in breaking a dry stick. On closer 
inspection, I found that the large, round, hairy- 
headed visitors were . lions and retreated on my 
