120 
THE NEW AFRICA 
as if a thunder-storm had suddenly broken loose, so tremendous 
were the roars he gave, and I, not knowing immediately what 
effect the shot had taken, got behind a tree to break a possible 
charge from the infuriated brute. The sound of the shot sent 
the rest of the family crashing away landwards through the 
reeds, while the deafening roars shook the dew from the foliage 
in the early morning air. 
Feeling sure that only the wounded lion remained of the 
troop, as the crashing and rushing had ceased for some time, I 
nervously peered towards the spot from whence all the uproar 
came, and saw my gentleman squatting on his haunches with 
his two sturdy forelegs like pillars dug into the sand, howling, 
roaring, and grunting like one possessed, occasionally licking his 
wounds, and striking the ground sideways with his mighty fore¬ 
paws, sending clouds of sand and grass into the air. Taking in 
the circumstances at a glance from his attitude as he occasionally 
dragged himself along without using his hind-legs, I cautiously 
showed myself, whereupon, with a succession of short grunts, he 
tried to make for me, but was only able to crawl a few feet for¬ 
ward. Again assuring myself that none of his tribe remained to 
guard him, I stepped nearer, and the angry brute made several 
futile attempts to charge, sending forth such hunter’s music as 
thrilled my being with a ferocious feeling I cannot describe. 
Each time as he moved, he threw his wild-looking scalp in 
a cascade over his ears, and ducked his head with a menace 
boding no good to anything that might come within his reach. 
The unusual opportunity prompted me to observe the creature’s 
movements with the curious fascination only apparent in our 
natures in the wildest moments, till at last an uncontrollable 
desire to kill surged through me like wine, and hastily raising 
my gun I fired three shots into him in rapid succession before 
he rolled over with a mighty groan, leaving me with mixed 
emotions at having slain this noble beast. 
The yarn my two companions told of how the boys behind 
behaved when they heard the terrible roaring following the first 
shot was very amusing. They threw down their loads, and 
