322 
WILD BEASTS AND THEIR WA VS 
CHAP. 
in height. The bush (evergreen) was so dense that 
it was very dark, and I could not see any tracks of 
lions upon the ground over which I crept; cautiously 
advancing, with both barrels upon full cock. About 
70 yards had been passed in this manner when I 
distinctly smelt the heavy odour of raw flesh and 
offal. I looked behind me, and my two men 
were keeping well together. There could be no 
doubt that the carcase of the buffalo was not far 
off, and it was highly probable that the lions would 
be in forcible possession. We crept forward with 
extreme caution. The faint and disagreeable smell 
increased, and was almost insupportable. I presently 
heard the cracking of a bone, and there could be no 
doubt that the - lions were close at hand. I once 
more looked round to see if my men were coming 
on : they were both close up. We crept noiselessly 
forward for a few yards, and suddenly a dark object 
appeared to block the tunnel; in another moment I 
distinguished the grand head and dark mane of a 
noble lion on the other side of a mass which proved 
to be the remains of the bull buffalo ; another head, 
of a lioness, arose upon the right, and at the same 
instant, with a tremendous roar, the scene changed 
before I had time to fire. We were alone with the 
remains of the buffalo, and I believe three lions had 
decamped, never to be seen again in the obscurity 
of the dense green nabbuk. We were actually in 
possession, having driven the lions from their prey, 
simply by our cautious advance, without a shot. 
It required some time and trouble to cut off the 
