for a moment to light a cigar. 'I am the only
man alive who has killed three lions with three successive shots.'

'I should have thought you could have demolished them by the effects of
your oratory,' said Arthur.

Oliver leaned back and placed his two large hands on the table.

'Burkhardt, a German with whom I was shooting, was down with fever and
could not stir from his bed. I was awakened one night by the uneasiness
of my oxen, and I heard the roaring of lions close at hand. I took my
carbine and came out of my tent. There was only the meagre light of the
moon. I walked alone, for I knew natives could be of no use to me.
Presently I came upon the carcass of an antelope, half-consumed, and I
made up my mind to wait for the return of the lions. I hid myself among
the boulders twenty paces from the prey. All about me was the immensity
of Africa and the silence. I waited, motionless, hour after hour, till
the dawn was nearly at hand. At last three lions appeared over a rock.
I had noticed, the day before, spoor of a lion and two females.'

'May I ask how you could distinguish the sex?' asked Arthur,
incredulously.

'The prints of a lion's fore feet are disproportionately larger than
those of the hind feet. The fore feet and hind feet of the lioness are
nearly the same size.'

'Pray go on,' said Susie.

'They came into full view, and in the dim light, as they stood chest on,
they appeared as huge as the strange beasts of the Arabian tales. I aimed
at the lioness which stood nearest to me and fired. Without a sound, like
a bullock felled at one blow, she dropped. The lion gave vent to a
sonorous roar. Hastily I slipped another cartridge in my rifle. Then I
became conscious that he had seen me. He lowered his head, and his crest
was erect. His lifted tail was twitching, his lips were drawn back from
the red gums, and I saw his great white fangs. Living fire flashed from
his eyes, and he growled incessantly. Then he advanced a few steps, his
head held low; and his eyes were fixed on mine with a look of rage.
Suddenly he jerked up his tail, and when a lion does this he charges. I
got a quick sight on his chest and fired. He reared up on his hind legs,
roaring loudly and clawing at the air, and fell back dead. One lioness
remained, and through the smoke I saw her spring to her feet and rush
towards me. Escape was impossible, for behind me were high boulders that
I could not climb. She came on with hoarse, coughing grunt