CHAPTER III. Notes on the Lion

NOTES ON THE LION

The lion--Native names for--Character of--Death of Ponto--Picture in Gordon Cumming's book--Death of Hendrik--Number of natives killed by lions--Usual mode of seizure--A trooper's adventure--Poisonous nature of lion's bite--Story of the Tsavo man-eaters--Death of Mr. Ryall--Story of the tragedy--Precautions by natives against lions--Remains of a lion's victim found--Four women killed--Lion killed--Carcase burned--Story of the Majili man-eater--Man-eating lions usually old animals--Strength of lions--Large ox killed by single lion--Buffaloes killed by lions--Ox slowly killed by family of lions--Lions usually silent when attacking and killing their prey--Camp approached by three lions--Various ways of killing game--Favourite food of lions--Giraffes rarely killed by lions--Evidence as to lions attacking elephants--Michael Engelbreght's story--Mr. Arnot's letter describing the killing of an elephant cow by six lions Pages 44-66