IX 
THE LION 
319 
menced to growl over their contested prey. The 
position upon a perpendicular bank being thoroughly 
secure, Johann took a steady shot, and rolled one 
lion over, close to the dying giraffe ; the other looked 
round for a moment, and sprang up the bank upon 
the opposite side of the river, but this, being per¬ 
pendicular, was too high to permit of a direct retreat; 
a bullet from the remaining barrel struck it through 
the back, and paralysed the hind-quarters. The 
animal fell backwards upon the sandy surface of the 
river, and rolled over helplessly, as the hind legs 
had lost all power. This gave Johann time to re¬ 
load, and, seeing that the lion was completely at his 
mercy, he descended into the river’s bed and put a 
bullet through its head. 
The giraffe was still alive, therefore another ball 
was necessary to complete its despatch ; and Johann 
remained in triumph, having bagged two lions and 
a giraffe with a gun worth only 50 francs. 
I have heard so many tales of lions which have 
carried away oxen from a kraal, that I have endeav¬ 
oured to unravel what appears to be a mysterious 
impossibility. An experienced friend of mine was 
present when, during the night, a lion bounded over 
the fence of thorns which formed a protection to the 
camp, and seizing a full-grown bullock, it jumped 
the fence, carrying the victim with it. 
In the confusion of a night attack the scare is 
stupendous, and no person would be able to declare 
that he actually saw the lion jump the fence with 
the bullock in its grip. It might appear to do this, 
