Presently Abd-el-Kader had a shot upon my right, and I
observed several antelopes bounding along upon the clear space in our
rear.
I was not in luck, but I now saw a splendid buck leucotis walking
quietly through the grass, and slowly descending the slope to the green
hollow, which would bring him straight towards me should he keep this
direction.
Just at that moment I saw a long yellow tail rise suddenly from the
green hollow, and an instant later I saw a fine lion, with tail erect,
that had evidently been disturbed by the advancing fire.
The lion was down wind of the buck leucotis, which was now close to the
unseen enemy, and was just descending the bank which dipped into the
green hollow: this would bring the antelope almost upon the lion's back.
The two animals suddenly appeared to touch each other as the leucotis
jumped down the bank, and the lion sprang to one side, apparently as
much startled as the antelope, which bounded off in another direction,.
The lion now disappeared in the high grass, with the head towards my
position.
I whispered to my boys not to be afraid should it appear close to us,
and at the same time I took the spare gun from; Bellal, and laid it
against the ant-hill to be in readiness.
