It Was Only When The
Great Mouth Opened In An Angry Snarl That I
Could See Plainly What He Really Was.
For a few
seconds we stood thus and looked at each other;
then he growled again and made off after the
lioness.
As I could not get a fair shot at him
from where I stood, I ran with all my might
for a point of vantage from which I might have
a better chance of bagging him as he passed.
Now by this time I had almost got beyond
the surprise stage where lions were concerned;
yet I must admit that I was thoroughly startled
and brought to a full stop in the middle of my
race by seeing no less than four more lionesses
jump up from the covert which the lion had just
left. In the twinkling of an eye three of them
had disappeared after their lord in long, low
bounds, but the fourth stood broadside on,
looking, not at me, but at my followers, who by this
time were grouped together and talking and
gesticulating excitedly. This gave me a splendid
chance for a shoulder shot at about fifty yards'
distance, so I knelt down at once and fired after
taking careful aim. The lioness disappeared
from sight instantly, and on looking over the
top of the grass I saw that my shot had told, as
she was on her back, clawing the air and
growling viciously. As she looked to me to be done
for, I shouted to some of the men to remain
behind and watch her, while I set off once more
at a run to try to catch up the lion.
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