ostriches and other game
which fell in their way.

One morning, having discovered with the telescope that three of these
gemsbok were some miles distant on a rising ground, they set off,
accompanied by a portion of the Hottentots on foot, who were desired to
go round, so as to drive the animals towards the camp. Bremen and Big
Adam were of the party, and they had made a circuit of three or four
miles, so as to get on the other side of the game, which now darted down
from the high ground, and, descending on the plain, stopped for a while
looking at their pursuers, while the horsemen advanced towards them in
the opposite direction. A shot from Alexander at last brought one of
these splendid animals to the ground, while the others fled off to a
distance, so as to give no hopes of again coming up with them; and the
party on foot, as well as the horsemen, now proceeded to the spot where
the gemsbok lay dead.

As Swinton wanted the animal for a specimen, it was placed on the back
of the horse which Omrah rode as usual, and one of the Hottentots went
off with it to the camp, which was not more than three miles distant.
They were debating whether they should make an attempt to get near to
the other gemsbok, which were still in sight at a distance, or try for
some other game, when they perceived three lions not far from them on a
rising ground; and suddenly the horses, from which they had dismounted
to give them time to recover their wind, broke loose from the Hottentots
who held the bridles, and galloped away towards the camp. The cause of
this panic was now evident, for a very large male lion had detached
himself from the other two, and was advancing slowly towards the party.

As soon as they perceived the approach of the lion, which they had not
at first, they all seized their guns; but being wholly unprepared for
such a sudden attack, there was a great deal of confusion; the Major
crying out, "Let no one fire till I tell him," only produced more alarm
among the Hottentots, all of whom, except Bremen, appeared to be at
their wits' ends. When within fifty yards, the lion made one or two
bounds, and in a moment was among them all, before they could bring
their guns to their shoulders; the retreat was general in every
direction, and not a shot was fired.

All, however, did not escape; Big Adam had started back, and coming with
all his force against Omrah, who was standing behind him, had fallen
over the boy, and they we