IX 
THE LION 
337 
fellows, and cut down by a stroke across the spine 
with the heavy broadsword. 
The lion is never specially sought for by the 
natives of Central Africa, but should he be met 
with in their ordinary hunting expeditions, he takes 
his chance like all other animals, and is attacked 
either with arrows or the spear. 
Many of the natives are exceedingly courageous, 
and will advance to the attack upon a lion with 
spear and shield, or even without the latter safe¬ 
guard, as they are confident in the support of their 
companions in case of an emergency. I remember 
upon one occasion I had wounded a lioness by a shot 
in the chest from a very accurate but extremely in¬ 
effective rifle, which, although '577, carried a small 
charge of 2\ drams of powder. The animal took 
refuge in a patch of high grass only a few yards 
square. Invisible in this retreat, my three hardy 
natives offered to go in and throw their spears at her, 
provided I would be ready to support them should 
she charge into the open when they had failed. 
This proceeding would have been a reflection upon 
our superior weapons, and I declined the proposal, as 
too dangerous to the men. I sent the natives to 
the summit of a white ant-hill about 7 feet high ; 
from this they espied the animal lying in the 
yellow grass, but so indistinct that it was impossible 
to determine her exact position. I accordingly in¬ 
structed the men to keep a sharp look-out, and to 
throw their spears should the lioness charge, as I 
would provoke an attack by firing a shot at hazard 
VOL. I 
z 
