THE LION. 47

moved backward as if to go away. Diederik began to load
his gun, the lion looked over his shoulder, growled, and
returned. Diederik stood still, The lion again moved cau-
tiously off, and the Boer proceeded to load and ram down
his bullet. The lion again looked back and growled angrily;
and this occurred repeatedly, until the animal had got off
to some distance when he took fairly to his heels and
bounded away.”
The Strength Whatever may be said of the lion’s courage,
‘ofthe = there can be no doubt as to his strength. Burchell
Lion. thus describes an encounter with a lion. “The
day was exceedingly pleasant and not a cloud was to be seen.
For a mile or two we travelled along the banks of the river,
which in this part abounded in late mat-rushes. The dogs
seemed much to enjoy prowling about and examining every
rushy place, and at last met with some object among the
rushes which caused them to set up a most vehement and
determined barking. We explored the spot with caution as
we suspected, from the peculiar tone of the bark, that it was
what it proved to be—lions. Having encouraged the dogs to
drive them out, a task which they performed with great:
willingness, we had a full view of an enormous black-maned
lion and lioness. The latter was seen only for a minute, as
she made her escape up the river under concealment of the
rushes; but the lion came steadily forward, and stood still
and looked at us. At this moment we felt our situation not
free from danger, as the animal seemed preparing to spring
upon us, and we were standing on the bank, at a distance
of only a few yards from him, most of us being on foot,
and unarmed, without any visible possibility of escaping. At
this instant the dogs boldly flew in between us and the lion,
and surrounding him, kept him at bay by their violent and
resolute barking. The lion, conscious of his strength, remained
unmoved at their noisy attempts and kept his head turned
towards us. At one moment, the dogs perceiving his eye