ADVENTURE WTTH LIONS. 
161 
Dawn at length appeared; but it was not until 
after some time, and then with much caution, that 
I ventured to ascertain the fate of the lion, whom, 
to my great satisfaction, I found dead within fifty 
yards of my place of concealment. The beast was 
of an average size ; but, unfortunately, the hyaenas 
and jackals had played sad havoc with his skin. 
Some time previously, my men had also shot a 
lion in this identical spot; but owing to his fearful 
growls, whilst dying, they thought it best to de¬ 
camp at once without ascertaining his fate. 
On another occasion, when ensconced alone in my 
££ screen,” I had a little adventure with lions, which 
exhibited these beasts in a somewhat new light. 
In the early part of the night I had observed 
several animals gliding noiselessly to the water, but 
considerably out of range. Not being able to make 
them out, I slipped quietly out of my ambush, and 
approached the spot where they were drinking. 
From the nature of the ground I was enabled to 
approach them unperceived, yet was incapable 
to distinguish the species. Still, from the sound of 
lapping at the water, I concluded they were hysenas 
before me, and as one of them was leaving the 
££ vley ” I fired. The bullet took effect, and, 
uttering a growl, the beast disappeared. Where¬ 
upon I muttered to myself, ££ Surely they cannot 
be lions ?” 
The remaining two beasts had, in the meantime, 
ceased drinking, and were moving lazily away, when 
a low shrill whistle from me at once arrested their 
steps. I levelled at the foremost and pulled the trig- 
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