me
until I had it close to my side; and now--following one another--came
two terrible shocks.

The first was the discovery that my rifle was bent at the grip and that
the barrel was damaged in places. It was out of the question to dream of
attempting to fire a bullet through it: there was no clear passage for
the missile: the rifle would burst in my hands if I attempted it.

The second shock was of a different nature. Hearing a scuffle and the
sound of snarlings and whinings, I glanced upwards, and beheld a pretty,
though a very alarming spectacle. Four lion cubs, about the size of
dogs, came frisking and bounding out of the long grass, evidently in
obedience to their mother's summons. At the same moment I became aware
of a more awful presence. A full-grown male lion, a magnificent beast,
was standing watching me, his tail twitching, his nostrils moving, his
legs setting themselves as though for a spring. I had not heard him
arrive, I did not know from what direction he had appeared; I simply
knew that he was there, and I may tell you that the sight of him gave me
a shock, though I had had my fill of terrors already.

I could think of no way out of the horrible position; I was in despair.
In my agony I reverted to instinct, I did what a child would have
done--I yelled for all I was worth. I called upon Thomson, who was a
couple of miles away, at least, and who could not, of course, hear me in
any case; I called upon Thomson for the love of all he held precious to
come and help me.

Instantly the four cubs disappeared in the long grass, The lioness also
bounded away; only the mighty lion remained. He gazed at me and roared,
but did not venture to approach. 'I don't quite like the look of you,'
he seemed to say; 'I believe that's a fire-stick in your hand; I'll see
if I can't frighten you into fits by roaring.'

Then he had his innings at roaring, and I give you my word that if his
wife's lungs were pretty good, his own absolutely left them far behind.
So terrific was the noise that my whole being seemed paralysed, and I
believe I eventually fainted, for, remembering nothing of the events
which led up to it, I awoke to find myself the plaything of four
lion-cubs.

The little rascals were positively--I wish you fellows wouldn't grin,
for I assure you this is a true story!--they were positively playing
with me as though I were a big mouse. If only one had been in the mood
to be amused, their antics would have seemed