A MOMENT OF DANGER. 
81 
having only one shot in my rifle. The ball told 
loudly, and the lioness at which T had fired wheeled 
right round, and came lashing her tail, showing 
her teeth, and making that horrid murderous deep 
growl which an angry lion generally utters. At 
the same moment her comrade, who seemed better 
to know that she was in the presence of man, made 
a hasty retreat into the reeds. The instant the 
lioness came on, I stood up to my full height, hold¬ 
ing my rifle, and my arms extended, and high 
above my head. This checked her in her course; 
but on looking round and observing Huy ter slowly 
advancing, she was still more exasperated, and, 
fancying that she was being surrounded, she made 
another forward movement, growling terribly. 
This was a moment of great danger ; I felt my 
only chance of safety was extreme steadiness, so 
standing motionless as a rock, with my eyes firmly 
fixed upon her, I called out in a clear commanding 
voice, c Holloa! old girl, what’s the hurry? Take 
it easy; holloa! holloa!’ She instantly once more 
halted, and seemed perplexed, looking round for 
her comrade. I then thought it prudent to beat a 
retreat, which I very slowly did. She seemed un¬ 
decided as to her future movements, and was 
gazing after me, and snuffing the ground, when I 
last beheld her.” 
At times, however, the human voice has also the 
effect of rousing the ire of the beast, and the 
natives, therefore, when desirous of ascertaining 
his whereabouts, will shout with all their might, 
which he, interpreting as a challenge, replies to 
