ains, "is the spot
where one of the last lions was seen in this part of the country. There
were plenty of them here once, and the last one disappeared in 1840,
only thirty-six years ago."

He then related the incident connected with the lion referred to. The
following is the substance of it.

Early in the year 1840 a runaway soldier was travelling through that
part of the country. He was on his way to Graaff-Reinet in search of
work. At that time farmhouses were very few and far between in that
region. The wearied soldier came one evening to the house of a Boer
named Smit, not many miles from the spot where Hobson and I were
reposing.

Smit was a surly fellow, and refused shelter to the traveller, who was
therefore obliged to continue his journey during the night. Next day
the unfortunate man's mangled body was found not far off, a few yards
from the foot of a small tree. The traces revealed clearly that he had
been killed by a lion, whose footprints had been seen and voice heard
for some time in the neighbourhood. On the approach of the lion the man
had sought refuge in the small tree just mentioned, but being little
better than a large bush, it failed him in the hour of need. Even when
perched on the highest branch that would bear him, he was not beyond the
spring of the lion. It had caught him, torn him down, and devoured his
breast and arms, after which it left him.

This was the last lion in that region that succeeded in taking human
life. Six months later the last lion of all made his appearance. He
was evidently a less ferocious animal, and made his final exit in a
rather humorous manner. In his prowling about he chanced to find an old
Dutchman, and pounced upon him, but the old man had his wits about him.
At first sight of his enemy he let himself go limp as if dead. Lions
are particular. They don't like dead meals; they prefer to kill their
own dinners. After pouncing on his prey the lion put his mouth to the
old fellow's ear and roared. If he was not deaf for life after that he
ought to have been! At all events he was deaf at the time to the
remark, for he paid no attention to it whatever. Then the lion pawed
him a little, lay down on him, rolled him about as a cat plays with a
mouse, and ultimately couched a few yards off to watch jealously for the
slightest sign of life. But the Dutchman was a splendid actor. Even in
breathing he managed to remain motionless, and at last the lion sne