On gathering up the slain, they found fifteen of the leeuws, young and old, male and female, six being lions, the rest lionesses.
The reason for so many having congregated there was the drought. Up till a late period there had been wafer in the vley, making it a rendezvous for buffaloes, antelopes, and other ruminants; many skeletons of which lay around, with bones clean picked—the work of these same lions, and other carnivora. But in time instinct had directed the cud-chewing animals to repair to other places, where the water was of surer supply; while the predatory species, more able to bear thirst, and hunger too, had stayed behind. Hence such a number found crowding together; and their having been for some time without food—indeed, half-famished, as it proved on examination of their carcases—will account for their uniting to attack the travellers—an attempt so cleverly and completely foiled.
Note 1. “Vley.” The synonym in Dutch for a lake of limited extent—a pond, or pool.
Note 2. The “mopane” is a tree belonging to the family of “banhinias,” with pinnate leaves set point upwards, so that the sun glints down between, and scarce any shade is given by the tree, even when in full foliage.
Note 3. “Roer.” The sort of gun in common use among the South African Dutch. It is a single barrel of great length and carry far.
Note 4. “Leeuw.” The Boers’ name for the “king of beasts.”