CHAP. XXII, 
A LION-HUNT. 
217 
brought a couple of ox-wagons with them, and my party 
also had wagons and tents; these we sent on, with the 
ladies and the cook, to a stream in advance, with order 
to pitch camp and prepare breakfast for us, while we 
men made for the foot of the mountain. 
As we appoached we found carcasses of animals 
killed by the lions, in all stages of decomposition. 
We despatched a party up the mountain to try and 
drive the lioness down ; whilst a party and myself 
skirted the hill about half-way up. It was strange to 
see the long grass all trodden flat around the large 
thorn-trees, where the lions had been reclining in the 
shade to escape the heat of the day. 
Presently one shot was fired on the mountain, and 
the scouts were seen riding and pointing in a particular 
direction. We made for the spot indicated, and found 
that the lioness had broken cover from the mountain, 
and had taken shelter in some long grass about five 
feet high, between two dry gullies which led down 
from the mountain until they joined together some 
distance on the plain below. 
It now became necessary to call a council of war, to 
appoint a captain of the hunt. There was a fine old 
Dutch lion-hunter present, and I named him; but my 
old comrades of former Cape Kafir wars declared that 
I (His Excellency, as I was called) should lead them to 
battle. There was no gainsaying this; so after cautioning 
