MORE WATCHING FOR LIONS. 227 His rifle had playctl him the same trick as before, and let off both barrels at once, — not very pleasant when shooting lions ; and there is a decided possibility, that, if the beast is not killed or disabled by the first shot, he may make for his enemy.

The camels we were waiting for arrived on April i ; but, although we were all anxious not to lose much time in starting in the direction of England, we put off our departure until the 3d, in order to have another chance of sport with the lions.

The heat we found considerably greater than it had been : 100° in the shade was quite common, but the nights were fortunately cold.

The night after their success with the lions, my brothers remained in camp, while the rest of us drew for places, and spent the night ensconced behind zaribas, each one of us determined, if possible, to add a lion to his collection of trophies.

Unfortunately, none of us were successful. One came so close to Aylmer, that it actually rubbed its sides against his zariba, and then, scenting danger, took itself off without his even seeing it, although he could, of course, plainly hear it. Aylmer, on the tiptoe of expectation, was awaiting the moment when it should step out close to him into the open, when the native who was sitting with him, holding his second rifle, and shaking with terror, coughed lowly, which alarmed the beast, and he made off at once. Aylmer had no remarks to address to that Arab gentleman afterwards I This man's ordinary duty consisted in looking after Aylmer's horse ; but, on this occasion, he had begged to be allowed to sit up, and had declared that he would not be in the least frightened. We did not think it well to let those Arabs who usually acted as gun-bearers, and who had sat up the previous night, do so twice running, in case they should go to sleep when wanted ; and on this account his request had been granted.