124 
THE LION. 
which we had distinguished by the name of Douglas 
Water. The dogs were barking round, but afraid 
to approach him, for he was now beginning to 
growl fiercely, and brandish his tail in a manner 
that showed that he was meditating mischief. 
Some of the Hottentots, by taking a circuit 
between him and the mountain, crossed the stream 
and stationed themselves on the top of a precipice 
overhanging the spot where he stood at bay, whilst 
others of them took up a position on the opposite 
side of the glen, and whilst the poor fellow was 
thus placed between two fires, which occupied his 
attention and prevented his retreat, we kept battering 
at him until he fell covered with wounds and glory.” 
The Hamaqua Hottentots who border on the 
Cape Colony, and amongst whom there are many 
half-breeds, when they hunt the lion are usually 
on foot, and, as with the Boers, several in company. 
But the chasse with these men is, I am assured, 
conducted in so extraordinary and cautious a 
manner as to be utterly devoid of either danger 
or excitement They never dream of firing until a 
distant, safe, and convenient position has been 
found, when they all sit down comfortably together, 
so that the attack, or rather the defence, is only 
made from one side. 
Though the colonists and their neighbours the 
Ham aquas usually hunt the lion, as shown, in large 
parties, and are thus enabled to oppose to the 
beast a regular battery, yet at other times only a 
single individual—most commonly a foreigner who 
has visited Africa for the sake of sport-—takes part 
