THE SENTINEL. 
91 
and without being able to revenge itself on the 
crafty adversary, was forced to beat a retreat.’’ 
A notion prevails in South Africa that, when several 
lions are in company, and they are chased, one of the 
number (the duty being taken in turn) acts as senti¬ 
nel, and watches the movements of the pursuers. 
Something of this kind once came under my own 
observation; but I speak guardedly, because the 
peculiar manner in which the beasts conducted them¬ 
selves, on the occasion I am about to relate, might 
not impossibly have arisen rather from parental 
affection than any other cause. The circumstances 
were these :— 
One day, when quite alone and on foot, I was 
“ stalking ” a herd of pullahs, on the banks of the 
river Tioge. Suddenly I found myself in the midst 
of a troop of lions—a family party, consisting of 
father and mother and two or three well-grown 
cubs. All of them, old as well as young, had a 
distinct greyish-white ring round the neck; they 
were, as I believe, identical with the “blue necks ” 
of the Boers, mentioned in Chapter I., page 5, which 
are described as being of a very savage disposition. 
On seeing me, they all hastily retreated. The 
beasts had, however, so novel and peculiar a look 
about them, that, although the danger of following 
them up in so dense a brake as I was then in, was 
considerable, I determined on doing so. Whilst 
thus occupied, I several times sighted either the old 
lions or the lioness, who evidently kept well in the 
rear of the cubs for their better protection, and who 
presently greeted me with an angry growl. But 
