SALT-PANS. 
129 
In certain parts of Southern Africa, the face of 
the country is studded with pit-like hollows, or 
basins, called, 6 ‘ salt-pans.” Though many of 
these are of limited extent, others, again, occupy 
a vast extent of ground.* Some are covered 
with a saline incrustation (hence their desig¬ 
nation), whilst others, from the moisture of the 
soil—for in the rainy season they are flooded—- 
are luxuriantly overgrown with rank grass, reeds., 
&c. These €e salt-pans,” provided there be game 
in the vicinity for them to prey on, are often the 
resorts and strongholds of lions. Here they breed 
and rear their young, and if left undisturbed, not 
only multiply greatly, but become much attached 
to their wild home, from which, at times, there is 
great difficulty in dislodging them. 
It was from one of these, their fortresses, that 
the field-officer, spoken of a few pages back, dis¬ 
lodged on one occasion, by the aid of a number of 
natives, the discharge of fire-arms, shouting, and 
the burning of the reeds, no fewer than thirteen 
lions, causing them to take refuge in the country 
beyond, which was pretty open, and here, single 
handed, when mounted, he shot six, that were 
full grown. The cubs, he, like a true sportsman, 
would not condescend to molest in any way. 
Gordon Gumming, as is known, also killed num¬ 
bers of lions single-handed, so to say. He thus 
describes his first encounter with the king, or rather 
queen, of beasts : — 
* The Nwelvi, situated to the eastward of Lake NTgami, is said 
to be a hundred miles long with an average breadth of fifteen milos. 
K 
